Talking With Your Clinician

Your clinician works hard to keep you healthy, but quality health care is a team effort. You have an important role to play to make sure you receive the best care possible.

Get involved in your health care. Talk to your clinician. Research shows that patients who have a good relationship with their clinicians receive better care and are happier with the care they receive.

Give Information

Tell your clinician about your health history, symptoms, medications, and any allergies you have.

Get Information

Ask questions. Take notes. Ask to have information repeated or written down.

Follow Up

Call if you have questions, experience side effects, or if your symptoms get worse. Schedule recommended appointments for tests and lab work.

Understand Your Diagnosis

Your clinician just gave you a diagnosis that could change your life. Now you need to learn more about your condition and talk to your clinician about how it can be treated.

Choose Quality Care

Quality health care can help you stay healthy and recover faster from illness. The most important thing you can do to ensure you get high quality health care is to take an active role in making decisions about your care.

Talk to your clinician about what is best for you:

• Getting the services you need when you need them
• Using the right test or procedure to achieve the best possible results