Many people see doctors as omnipotent gods able to do all and cure all. Unfortunately, its is forgotten that doctors are mortals also. They need information from you that cannot be obtained through blood tests, x-rays, or stress tests. In order for a doctor to you help you, communication is necessary. You have to be able to effectively explain your pain, sickness, or affliction to the doctor. You have to understand what a doctor tells you, and you need to ask the right questions. A doctor has years of training and knowledge but, if you cannot communicate effectively, the doctor cannot give you the help you need. It is necessary to learn how to visit the doctor.

Being able to explain your reason for the visit is the most important skill needed to help the doctor help you. Of course you don't feel well. However, telling the doctor that you are sick or that you hurt, is not adequate. A patient needs to be articulate about the pain, discomfort, injury, or whatever it is that brought them to the physician. If you have a stomach cramp for example, be able to say more than "I have a cramp in my stomach". Know how describe the cramp. Does the cramp feel as if you are sick on the stomach or does it feel like a muscular pain? Does it feel like gas or does it feel like nausea? If you have what you think is a cold be able to describe it in detail. Do you feel weak? Does your head spin? Do you feel feverish? Is your stool loose, compacted, or normal? Have you seen any colored secretions and/or blood in your urine, feces, or fluids that you may have coughed up? In terms of pain, be able to say where the pain originates, if it moves and how it moves, if it throbs or if its dull, and even if its constant or only happens at certain times.

In addition to be able to explain your ailment, it is also good to understand how to ask questions. More than likely the doctor will use terminology you may not understand. When describing what is going on in your body, the doctor may talk to fast, or not give you enough detail for you to fully understand why you are not well. There is nothing wrong with asking questions. In fact doctors welcome questions. Not only will it help them to fully make you understand your ailment, it will make them know you are really listening and communicating with them. They will have a sense that they are truly helping you instead of wondering if they have a good understanding of your issue. Most importantly, ask good questions. Do not just say that you don't understand something. Ask detailed questions about portions of what you do not understand. Use phrases such as, "I did not understand what you meant by….", "Could you explain how my___is causing me to feel___", or even "I think I understand but could you explain it in more simple terms?"

After you and your doctor have talked and he has done tests and reviewed your file, you will receive a treatment plan. That can consist of a medication, multiple medications, surgery, a consult with another physician, physical therapy, or any number of solutions. Regardless of the treatment be sure that you understand how to follow his instructions. Be sure you understand how to take any prescribed medications. Understand the details of any changes in your diet he may prescribe. If the doctor limits a certain activity, understand the details of those limitations and the consequences of not heeding the limitations. This is all to say understand your treatment so that you can be an active partner in your healing.

Doctors are healers as well as resources. They want to heal you and they want to talk to you. Do not be afraid of the doctor and do not take every thing a doctor says as gospel. If something does not sound right or does not sit well, say so and explain why you feel that way. The situation could be that there was a miscommunication between you and the doctor and expressing your concern can remedy that. Remember that the doctor is not a high authority figure for you to be intimidated by. A doctor is a tool meant to be used. Once you learn how to use a tool, then you can fix things. Now for your next visit to the doctor make sure you are prepared to be fixed.