Are You and Your Doctor in Sync?
How do I make sure we're both on the same page?
Being open about your ulcerative colitis (UC) with your doctor can make a difference. The results of the UC: NORMAL survey, published by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), reinforce the importance of open communication with your doctor. The results identified big differences in the way patients feel about their UC and how gastroenterologists perceive their patients' feelings. For example, patients reported experiencing 8 flares per year, while doctors thought there were fewer. This study clearly suggests that patients and doctors need to work more closely together and improve their communication with one another.
Want to get a better idea of the differences in how patients feel and what physicians perceive? To find out more about the results of the UC: NORMAL survey, click here.
What is the value of staying connected to my doctor?
Another recent study showed the importance of a patient-doctor connection. A study in Annals of Internal Medicine looked at patient-doctor relationships, and then measured whether or not having a "connection" affected clinical performance or care. Although about 60% of patients had a "connected" relationship with their doctors, a large minority did not. Those patients with the strongest relationships with their physician were more likely to receive recommended tests, like colon cancer screenings. This suggests that a patient-doctor "connection" has a large influence on the kind of care received.
Remember, your doctor and his or her team are there to help you and provide you with the information you need, both about your condition and about treatment. For more information on how to connect with your doctor, click here to download the Just Ask: Start the UC Dialogue brochure.
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What if I'm embarrassed to talk to my doctor?
If you sometimes feel embarrassed or awkward when you discuss your ulcerative colitis symptoms, you're not alone. Although it may feel uncomfortable, it's helpful to remember that your doctor has treated many other patients with UC and has seen the symptoms long before treating you. This is your doctor's specialty. He or she is focused on you and truly wants to help you better manage your UC. This includes getting a complete understanding about how you feel and what symptoms you are experiencing. Your candid and honest feedback will give your doctor the information necessary to help you get the most out of treatment. And remember, you can always talk to members of your doctor's health care team, such as nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants. They are also there to help provide you with information and support.
Is it all right to ask about other treatment options?
Just ask if you want to know more about other ulcerative colitis treatment options. Your doctor needs to know if you are experiencing symptoms with your current treatment. Remember, he or she is there to help and wants to do what is right for you as an individual. Discussing other treatment options with you is a natural course of giving you the care you need. If you aren't happy with your current treatment, simply ask your doctor if there are other treatment options that could work for you.
Should I ask my doctor about getting a second opinion?
Second opinions are common medical practice. Because your doctor is on your side, he or she will naturally want you to be as informed about your ulcerative colitis as possible. Often that includes getting a second opinion. Your doctor is part of a health care team that is looking out for your best interests, so don't hesitate to ask about talking with another physician. Your doctor may suggest other specialists who may be of particular help in your case. Remember, most doctors welcome the opportunity to have another consultant review and approve their decisions about medical care, or perhaps suggest another approach to treatment that may be better for you.
What if I don't understand what the doctor is saying?
Be sure to ask for more explanation if you need it. When doctors and other health care specialists speak to their patients, they know that their language needs to change from “medical speak” to more common “layman's language.” However, if you don't understand a word or phrase, just ask for an explanation. Your health care team wants to do everything possible to help you understand what is being communicated to you. This is part of giving you the best care possible.
How can I make sure that I fully understand my doctor and other specialists? Confirm the information by repeating it back to them. You might also take a few notes so you can remember what you learned, or bring along a family member or friend so he or she can help you remember what your doctor or other health care specialist said.
