Talking with the Health Care Team
Helping to Get Ready for Visits to the Doctor
Talking with the Doctor
You will be asked to do many things during your loved one's treatment. One of your main roles
may be to help your loved one work with the health care team. You may be asked to go to doctor
visits, among other things. A few tips are listed below.
- Keep a file or notebook of the patient's medical information. Include the dates of
procedures and tests. Bring this file to doctor visits.
- Keep a list of names and doses of medicines and how often they are taken. Bring this list
with you.
- Use only trusted sources if you do research for your loved one, such as government and
national organizations.
- Make a list of questions and concerns. List the most important questions first.
- Call ahead of time to make sure of the following:
- The doctor has copies of all needed test results, records, and other paperwork.
- You have directions, transportation, and if needed, hotel information.
- If you and the patient have a lot to talk about with the doctor, ask whether:
- You can have a longer appointment (check on fees for this).
- You can talk to the doctor by phone if there are further questions. Or perhaps others on
staff can help you. For example, a nurse may be able to answer many of your questions.
- Talk with your loved one before the visit to help prepare yourselves for the possibility that
the information given could be different than what you both expect.
If your loved one takes you with him to talk with the doctor, here are some tips:
- If you don't like how a question was answered, tell the doctor that you need her to explain
more to help you understand.
- Talk with the doctor about any medical advice you find. Some advice may be false or
misleading, or may conflict with what the doctor has told your loved one.
- If a concern is not being addressed, ask the question in a different way. This may help the
doctor understand your concern better.
- Take notes or ask if you can tape-record the visit.
- Know that your loved one has the right to change doctors if he feels his needs aren't
being addressed.
Questions To Ask
About Treatment |
- What medical records, or
copies, would you like us
to bring?
- What can my loved one do
beforehand to prepare for
treatment?
- How long will the
treatment take?
- Can my loved one go to
and from treatment alone?
Should someone else go
with him?
- Can I or another family
member be with my loved
one during the treatment?
- What can I do to help her
feel more comfortable
during the treatment?
- What are the side effects
of the treatment?
- After treatment, what do
we need to watch for?
When should we call you?
- How does filing insurance
claims work? Who can
help us if we have
questions or problems?
|
Although different side effects happen with cancer
treatment, many caregivers say the one thing they hesitate to
ask about is pain. Yet, people who have their pain managed
are able to focus on healing and on enjoying life. If someone
is preoccupied by pain, you may notice personality changes.
These might include being distant, not being able to sleep,
or not being able to focus on daily activities.
The medical team should ask regularly about pain levels, but
it's up to you and your loved one to be open about any pain.
The patient does not have to be in pain or discomfort. Some
people assume that there will always be severe pain with cancer
treatment. This is not true. Pain can be managed throughout
your loved one's treatment. The key is to talk regularly with
the health care team about pain and other symptoms.
Sometimes people with cancer don't want to talk to their
health care team about their pain. They worry that others will
think that they are complaining or that pain means the
cancer is getting worse. Or they think that pain is just
something they have to accept. Sometimes people get used to
the pain and forget what it's like to live without it.
This is when it is important for you to encourage your loved
one to speak up. Or you can speak up on his behalf. Be
honest with the doctor about pain and how it is affecting the
daily routine. You and your loved one may need to have talks
at different times to continue to feel comfortable about the
pain medicines given. These drugs can also be adjusted or
changed if they aren't working or are having unpleasant
side effects.
Don't be afraid to ask for stronger pain relievers or larger
doses if your loved one needs them. Addiction is rarely an
issue in people with cancer. Instead, drugs help patients stay
as comfortable as possible.
Some people worry that doctors will be offended if they ask
for a second opinion. Usually the opposite is true. Most
doctors welcome a second opinion. And many health
insurance companies will pay for them.
If your loved one gets a second opinion, the doctor may agree
with the first doctor's treatment plan. Or the second doctor
may suggest another approach. Either way, your loved one has
more information and perhaps a greater sense of control. You
both can feel more confident about the decisions you make,
knowing that you've looked at your options.
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