FAMILY MEDICINE® COLUMN
By John C. Wolf, D.O.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine®
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO GOOD HEALTH CARE

[Reader's Note: I'm going to do something a bit different for this week's column. Instead of answering a specific question, I'm going to combine several different questions that I've received recently that involve a common core issue -- the importance of communicating clearly with your physician.]

Almost every week I get a letter that includes a statement "I'm embarrassed to ask my doctor, so I'm asking you" or a similar phrase. Often these questions involve some aspect of the person's sexuality, although other problems such as urine leakage or flatulence are also common. Regardless of the question, you should feel free to ask your doctor about anything. Believe me, even though you have angst over sharing your story, it is unlikely to cause your doctor any embarrassment. He or she has "heard it all" before. You may fear that your doctor is too busy or too arrogant to listen to your problems, but if you explain the importance the problem poses for you, I'm sure that he or she will make time to help you.

Communication is the foundation of quality health care. You must share your concerns with your doctor. I'll wager that once you start telling your "embarrassing story" that your doctor will put you at ease. Another important part of communication is understanding your doctor's explanation of your condition and the treatment plan. We physicians need to communicate with nurses, pharmacists, insurance companies and others who are fluent in the jargon of the health-care trade. This is essential for us to communicate complex concepts accurately and efficiently. You and your doctor must "communicate," too, not just talk at one another. Although this sounds simple, it actually isn't. It is very easy for us to lapse into "doctor lingo" or to assume you understand a concept that is common knowledge to the health-care team. I'll share a story from my practice with you that illustrates my point.

My patient, a waitress, relayed the following story to me about an incident that happened at the restaurant where she works. Every Friday evening she serves a certain couple. Typically, they both order steaks. This week the gentleman ordered his usual steak but paused for an unusually long time when she asked him how he wanted the steak cooked. He finally responded, "Well done, I guess." Because she had waited on them a number of times, she ask him why he had trouble deciding how he wanted his steak cooked, and why he changed from his customary preference of "rare." He responded, "My doctor said I have trouble with my cholesterol. He told me I shouldn't eat red meat."

I hope you chuckled when you heard this as mush as I did. Obviously, the gentleman doesn't understand that his cholesterol problem is aggravated by consumption of saturated fats. This is the type of fat found in beef and pork, the common "red" meats. Turkey and chicken -- white meat -- when prepared without the skin or the addition of fat, are low in saturated fats. The doctor understood this, but his or her explanation failed to convey this information to the patient who only heard that meat that looks red in color was bad for his health. Communication isn't as easy as it seems.

Therefore, I suggest that you unabashedly take any health concern to your doctor. Once you've asked the question, and your doctor has responded, it's a good idea to repeat the instructions in your own words to make sure that you fully understand them. Also, before you leave, ask to clarify any "nagging doubts" you might have. This includes asking apparently simple questions such as, "What do you mean by 'red' meat?"

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to John C. Wolf, D.O., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Grosvenor Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701.