Health - OutreacH - prevention - empowerment

Project HOPE of Cleveland, Inc.

(216) 391-7557

Tips for a Successful Healthcare Appointment

Appointments with healthcare providers are opportunities to exchange very important information about your health and well-being.  It is important to make the most of the opportunity to be seen by a care provider by making sure that both you (the patient) and provider communicate clearly and that you feel safe and comfortable talking about your needs.   Here are some tips to help you have a successful appointment:

• Come prepared. Write down and bring with you a list of your medications and a list of questions and concerns that you want to speak to the care provider about.
  
  
• Be honest.  It is very important that healthcare providers know the truth about your habits (such as smoking or drinking), lifestyle (what do you eat?  Do you exercise? Who do you live with?), and things that might make it hard for you to follow their instructions (can you afford to take your medicine? Do you have the support you need to travel to appointments or to get out of the house for things like exercise?  Do you have fears that may stop you from asking for help from a doctor if you have an emergency?).  Your healthcare team is not there to scold you, but rather help you find solutions and support.  They may be able to help you plan or find resources to help you be as healthy as possible.

• Ask questions.  If you become confused or overwhelmed during the appointment, speak up and tell the provider that you are having a hard time understanding and why.  They may be able to write down information for you to look at later, call someone who can support you when you leave and make sure you follow directions correctly, or even just explain things differently in a way that makes sense to you.  When it comes to your health, there are no stupid questions.  You have the right to understand what is going on with your body.  Take notes during the appointment and write down any instructions you are worried you might forget.
  
  
• Remember that you are part of your healthcare team.  Your voice is important and needs to be heard for a plan to be successful.  Use your providers as a tool to help you identify the treatments and plans that will help you the most.  Ask them to help you weigh the pros and cons of all your options and remember to tell them why you think something may or may not work. It will give the provider better insight into your concerns and needs, which may lead to some surprising suggestions and solutions! If you feel like your provider is not a good fit for you, it’s fine to find a new one!
  
  
• If you ever leave an appointment and feel confused or unsure about the information your provider gave you, please call us at Project HOPE and we will do what we can to help you understand and get the support you need! (216) 391-7557