Too few of us feel comfortable questioning our health care providers, finds a new survey from VitalSmarts, a consulting firm for companies and other organizations. The survey, which polled 158 adult Americans on their relationships with doctors, concluded that fewer than 50% of people speak up when they’re confused or concerned about a doctor’s diagnosis or recommendation. And a full 33% of people don’t voice concern even when they think a doc is prescribing an incorrect medication (like one that might interact with another drug)—even though such errors can endanger a patient’s life. “Simply showing up to the hospital is the eighth leading cause of death in this country,” says study co-author Joseph Grenny, co-founder of VitalSmarts and author of Crucial Conversations. “Medical mistakes are an area of chronic concern, and for that very reason, patients need to step up and take responsibility for their own health.” Unfortunately, the majority of patients who don’t speak up say they’re worried about offending a doctor with questions or quibbles. But doctors are human beings, Grenny notes, and they make mistakes just like the rest of us. “They care, they do their best, but they aren’t infallible,” he says. “Many of us, especially older generations, have an unhealthy deference for medical providers.” So how can you speak up, even if you feel squeamish doing it? Here, Grenny’s four foolproof tips for your next appointment. Set the expectation. Before your doctor even starts describing a condition or prescription, ask for clearance to make inquiries. “Ask them if you can speak up about anything that makes you confused or uncomfortable,” he says. “They’ll always say ‘yes,’ and this sets the expectation for them, and it makes you accountable to ask those questions.” Honor your feelings. Feeling a burst of anxiety or fear while the physician rattles off information about your diagnosis? Ask her to slow down while you sort out the root of those sensations. “Even if you ask for one minute to digest the information, that gives you time for a moment of clarity,” Grenny says. Maybe one of your prescriptions interacts with what she’s suggesting, or you suffered rough side effects from a certain therapy. Your gut might recall it before your brain does. “This gives you time to recall those issues and bring them up.” Share the facts. Don’t show up and expect your doctor to know everything. Bring a written medical history, a list of current medications and allergies, and a rundown of your symptoms (along with when they started, and what seemed to trigger them). “The more specifics they have, the more they can do for you,” Grenny notes. Start with respect. If you dread causing offense, solve the problem (and save everyone involved from embarrassment or a bruised ego) by kicking off the conversation with respect. If you’ve got a question or concern, Grenny recommends saying something like this first: “I understand this is your area of expertise, and I’m over my head here, but I do have one concern.” More from Prevention: Is Your Doctor Hurting You? Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team. Follow her on Twitter: @katiedrumm Send news tips and positive vibes to: Katie.Drummond@rodale.com
