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The July, 2004 issue of the "Harvard Health Letter" reports on nine tips for patients to get the most out of their doctors’ visits, as presented at a recent forum sponsored by Harvard Medical School. I have taken those nine tips and rewritten some, put them in a different order to make them appropriate for prostate cancer and I added additional tips.
1. Use the Internet for research.
Despite the wealth of misinformation on the Internet, there is also plenty of credible health information to tap into. For prostate cancer start your searching at with Prostate-Help Patients Helping Patients". Access to virtually all information on prostate cancer begins here.
2. Know your options.
Even if a doctor presents only one choice, other options may be available. Ask your doctor about the full range of available treatments. Prostate cancer treatment has many options. If you are just diagnosed your research should start at http://www.prostate-cancer-help.org.
3. Think through your priorities.
Medical decisions often involve tradeoffs that only you can sort out. Share your values and preferences with your doctor. It can mean more fruitful and focused discussions of treatment choices. Do not make a decision if you are not comfortable with it - go home, research some more and think it over.
4. Bring along a family member or close friend.
Having a second pair of ears to listen carefully and possibly assist in making decisions is helpful for both you and the doctor. It would help if the family member or friend helped in your research.
5. Make a list of questions.
You will want to prepare a list of questions that you want answered. Some of these questions can be questions you know the answers to and want to see what your doctor has to say. Some times these are very revealing and shows the knowledge level of your doctor. You might be interested in reading When is good enough "GOOD ENOUGH" for YOU and The Sins of This Industry for a better understanding of doctors. You may also want to use "Questions To Ask" to help you in your thinking.
6. Bring a tape recorder to your office visit.
This may seem intrusive, but listening to an audiotape after your visit may help you understand things you didn’t grasp the first time around. If the doctor refuses to let you tape his comments - leave.
7. Set the terms of the relationship.
If you find your doctor too bossy or too deferential, make that known. If it continues to bother you, think about switching doctors. You do not need to put up with a doctor that appears not to have your best interest at heart. Be sure the doctor you are talking to has extensive knowledge about prostate cancer.
8. Find a doctor you like.
Don’t feel obligated to stick with one you don’t. Do make a good-faith effort to work with your doctor. But don’t settle for someone you don’t like or trust. The value of compatibility with your doctor can not be overstated.
9. Talk to a nurse or other staff.
If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a doctor on some things, many times information can be found from another staff member. Good nurses can be a huge benefit to you if handled correctly.
10. Get your medical records.
It is your right to receive copies of your medical records. Getting acquainted with your official medical biography can help you become a fully informed patient. Demand them - you may have to pay for copying. If the doctor refuses to cooperate - find another doctor.
11 ALWAYS REMEMBER
The skill of the doctor doing the procedure is far more important than the procedure itself. The procedure will be a success or it will fail based on this skill. You are betting your life on this skill, make sure you get the best available. If you have to travel - ask yourself "Is my life worth it?" than travel. Find the docs that have proof through published papers in leading medical journals. A list of Centers of Excellence doctors can be seen at Centers of Excellence .
Page Reviewed and/or Updated:
September 21, 2008
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Information You Should Read
Stanford Univ. video on PCa
The Prostate - What, Where
The Prostate Biopsy
How To Tell a "Physician Artist"
The Doctors Appointment
Insignificant Cancer
Vocabulary, Glossary, etc.
Tables, Tests, Markers etc.
Gleason Info and Partin Tables
PSA - What it is and means
Locally Advanced Cancer
BPH
Prostatitis
Other Diagnostic Tools
Veterans Information
