TELL ME WHERE IT HURTS

TELL ME WHERE IT HURTS:

THE SCIENCE AND ART OF MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS

Audience Q & A

Question: Given that the physician has 15 minutes with the patient to assess health, history, etc., what can the patient do to assist the doctor in making a more accurate patient diagnosis?

Answer: First, the patient should take some time to think about what he or she hopes to accomplish during the doctor’s visit. At the start of the visit, the patient should then share these goals with the doctor, starting with the most important. This will help the patient and the doctor to use the visit time as efficiently as possible. Second, keep in mind that most doctors want to hear the story of the patient’s illness. Sometime before the visit, the patient should take a little bit of time to think about when symptoms started, how they have changed over time, and what has made them better or worse. The Bayer Institute, a non-profit organization that focuses on patient-doctor communication, may be a useful resource for information on active health care participation. Their website address is www.BayerInstitute.com.

--Robert M. Arnold, M.D.