Communicating With a New Primary Care Doctor

The first meeting with a new doctor is the best time to begin establishing effective communication and ways in which to take an active role.

Before a Visit

Advance preparations can improve communication and help a first visit go more smoothly. Information about past hospitalizations, use of home health services, or care from any specialists or other health care practitioners (including any complementary or alternative medicine practitioners) should be given to the primary care doctor. If copies of written records have already been obtained, then a copy should be given to the new primary care doctor. Listing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of practitioners and institutions where health care has been received assists the new doctor in acquiring important health information and records.

Bringing along the containers of any drugs currently being taken, including prescription and nonprescription drugs, is very important. Containers of vitamins, other nutritional supplements, and medicinal herbs should also be included. Bringing notes on any side effects experienced while taking drugs is a good idea and saves time. Also helpful is a list of the names and telephone numbers of pharmacies where the prescriptions were filled.

A medical history form may need to be completed in the waiting room, although sometimes the doctor's office mails this form before a visit. All medical forms should be completed as accurately as possible. Ideally, the person visiting the doctor answers the questions. However, if the person is unable to complete a medical history form alone, whoever provides assistance should strive to involve the person as much as possible.

Before the visit, it can be worthwhile to think about and possibly write down brief notes about exercise, sleep, diet, and use of caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol.

During a Visit

Difficulties with vision, hearing, or speech may make communication less effective. Glasses, hearing aids, or dentures, if normally used at home, should be worn during the visit. Informing the doctor and the office staff about a loss of vision, hearing, or speech at the outset of a visit creates an opportunity to improve communication. The doctor may be able to change the lighting of the examination room or provide an amplification device. Sometimes a person who has a loss of vision or hearing is tempted to find out if the doctor notices and, if the doctor notices, how long it takes. Some people simply do not want to admit to any vision, hearing, or speech loss. However, communication between the person and the doctor is more effective if honesty and pragmatism are the order of the day. If the person needs a translator, it is important that someone who can translate accompany the person or that the doctor be forewarned so that a translator is available.

A person should expect questions about his health habits. Questions may address sensitive topics, such as sexual practices or mistreatment by a caregiver. Other sensitive topics include problems with memory, bladder control, and balance. Clear and honest answers to all questions make the communication more effective.

A person's personal, religious, and cultural beliefs and values affect health care decisions and should be discussed with the primary care doctor. During this discussion, the doctor's attitudes and policies concerning the use of a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care should be asked about. Mental preparation for such a discussion can help save time and improve future communication with the doctor.

Whether to bring a family member along to the office and whether to have this person in the examination room for part or all of the visit are important considerations. A family member can help the person recall an important piece of information or provide perspective on aspects of illness. Some types of information, such as information on diet, are best received by several family members so that all of the information is retained. However, having a family member in the room can interfere with communication. A person may be reluctant to share certain kinds of information with the doctor when a family member is present, such as mental health symptoms, alcohol use, or sexual practices.

See the sidebar Is This Doctor Right For Me?