Communication and Information Sharing

Fostering a good relationship with healthcare providers

Developing a good relationship with your healthcare providers is important for supporting medication self-management An individual’s ability to manage the symptoms, side effects, treatment, and physical and social consequences of taking medications. . Your healthcare providers can help with answering questions, addressing concerns, and making recommendations that align with your values and beliefs.

This video contains several strategies for building good relationships with healthcare providers. These strategies are also explained below and downloadable slides are available at the end.

While everyone’s relationships with their healthcare providers will likely be different, there are several strategies you can try to help build a meaningful relationship.

  1. Self-advocate:
    • Discuss your preferences and values about medications with your healthcare provider
    • Some examples of your preferences may include limiting the number of prescription medications A medication that is only available with written instructions from a healthcare provider (e.g., doctor, dentist, pharmacist). and adding natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). (e.g. vitamins) to your daily routine
    • You may consider bringing someone (e.g. family member, friend) to support you in advocating for yourself
  2. Communicate clearly:
    • Prepare a list of questions ahead of time (refer to topics to discuss and questions to ask healthcare providers for some examples)
    • If you have concerns about your medications, mention them to your healthcare provider (no concern is too big or too small to talk about)
  3. Ask questions:
    • Make sure all of your questions have been answered before leaving the appointment
      1. Tip: it is helpful to create a list of questions ahead of time and refer to them during your appointment
    • Ask if you need to schedule a follow-up visit, who it will be with, and when it will occur
  4. Be descriptive:
    • If you have experienced any lifestyle changes, discuss these with your healthcare provider as they may impact your medication regimen
    • Some examples of lifestyle changes include changes to your exercise levels, sleep, use of alcohol, use of tobacco, and use of cannabis (marijuana)
  5. Listen actively:
    • Active listening is an effective communication skill and involves listening to the content, intent, and feeling of the speaker
    • It involves both verbal (asking questions, repeating what was said) and non-verbal cues (eye contact, focus)
  6. Learn together:
    • Accept that not everything will be known, communicate openly, and work together along the journey
Infographic of a doctor speaking to a patient with a spinal cord injury. There are 6 bubbles branching off the main image describing 6 strategies with which to foster a better relationship with a healthcare provider. These include self advocating, communicating clearly, asking questions, listening actively, being descriptive, and learning together.

You can find a summary here:

References

Kohpeima Jahromi, V., Tabatabaee, S. S., Esmaeili Abdar, Z., & Rajabi, M. (2016). Active listening: The key of successful communication in hospital managers. Electronic Physician, 8(3), 2123–2128. https://doi.org/10.19082/2123