Effective Patient-Doctor Communications
With shorter doctor visits than ever before, insurance companies and HMOs controlling care from behind the scenes, and patients researching more information online, effective communications between thyroid patients and practitioners has become even more crucial. About.com’s Patient Empowerment guide Trisha Torrey provides useful guidelines on the key elements of good communication -- respect for each other, and the ability to manage expectations – in How to Communicate With Your Doctor .Many chronic disease sufferers, thyroid and autoimmune disease patients in particular, spend quite a bit of time researching health and medical information to help get diagnosed and properly treated. But what you do with that information, and how you present it to your doctor, can make or break your relationship. Read Sharing Internet Information With Your Doctor for some helpful guidelines.
In particular, thyroid patients want to be careful to research health information carefully, but not overwhelm practitioners with papers, printouts and medical information from the Internet.
Dealing With Difficult Doctors
If things are already problematic with a physician, it's may be necessary to do some damage control. To help, read: How to Repair Your Relationship With Your Doctor.What if your doctor is more Dr. House and less Marcus Welby? Trisha Torrey says there actually may be some things you can do to help improve the relationship, and explains it all in How to Improve a Doctor's Bedside Manner.
Sometimes, a doctor not only has a difficult bedside manner, but is generally difficult. Thyroid patients may not want to put up with the personality of an especially difficult doctor. But if the doctor's talents outweigh the overbearing attitude, you'll want to read How to Deal with an Arrogant Doctor, which also includes Trisha Torrey's helpful tips on how to develop a constructive working relationship with an especially difficult doctor.
Sometimes, however, it's necessary to complain about or to the doctor. Trisha Torrey helps you decide if it’s the right time to complain to your doctor. And if you do decide to complain, you'll want to map out a strategy, by reading How to Complain or Provide Feedback to Your Doctor: The Right Approach Will Improve Your Chance of Being Heard.
When It's Time to Change Doctors
For thyroid patients, one problematic issue is that some doctors seem especially threatened by knowledgeable, empowered thyroid patients. Patients dealing with that sort of doctor often find it necessary to find a new practitioner. Being insecure is only one factor that may signal the need for a new practitioner. There are actually 10 Signs That You Need a New Thyroid Doctor. Thyroid patients themselves have shared dozens of their own personal stories and experiences, at How Do You Know When It's Time for a New Thyroid Doctor?Finally, sometimes, no matter how hard a patient tries, effective communication with a healthcare practitioner is simply impossible. Trisha Torrey takes a more in-depth look at the important question: Is It Time to Change Doctors?.
