Talking to Health Care Professionals

Meeting with doctors, especially when they’re busy, can be intimidating. It can make you feel anxious about asking questions or rushed into explaining what you want to know.

If you find this happening, it helps to remember that you're meeting with your doctor for a reason and that you and your doctor, and other health care professionals, are partners in your health and well-being. You deserve to feel confident that you're getting the best possible care. Also, it’s likely that you've had to wait a long time to get an appointment, especially with a specialist. This means making the best use of the time available. You want to leave the appointment feeling sure that you can make informed choices about your health.

The National Eye Institute recommends that you take a friend or family member with you to a doctor’s appointment. They also suggest that you be clear about what to ask about your diagnosis and treatment options. To read more about this and other helpful suggestions, follow the link to the article Talking to Your Doctor on the National Eye Institute website.