speak up! tips for talking to doctors by lisa murray

Women’s health experts suggest that women often have more difficulty than men in voicing their concerns in doctors’ offices (either for themselves or for their children). Here is some advice.

1. If you typically feel uncomfortable, shy, or nervous when speaking to doctors, bring someone with you who will serve as spokesperson. If possible, discuss any questions and concerns with your spokesperson before you go into the office so you’re both prepared to get information. Write down questions ahead of time so you can refer to them, and bring a notebook and pencil to the appointment for note taking.
   
2. Make a list of any medications you currently take (include doses and frequency), past illnesses or surgeries, and any other relevant information regarding your health history. This is important information to convey to your doctor, and it’s easier to deliver it accurately if you have prepared it beforehand. Be sure to tell the truth about any substance use.
   
3. Although Internet research before an appointment is valuable, don’t bring in so many printouts that they distract from a focused conversation with your healthcare practitioner. Write down the most important points you want to discuss.
   
4. One in three American women dies of heart disease, but doctors do not always discuss cardiovascular concerns with female patients—make sure that you do.
   
5. State the facts. Don’t be tempted to interpret your own, or your child’s, symptoms. This can lead a healthcare practitioner down an incorrect path. Let the doctor diagnose. Afterward, if you feel the diagnosis is wrong, that’s the time to question and discuss.
   
6. Trust your intuition. If you’ve done all of the above and still feel like you or your child aren’t getting the care you need, don’t be afraid to say so. Tell the doctor your feelings. If you get the impression that your healthcare provider is belittling your concerns or misinterpreting them as emotional issues, don’t be afraid to end the visit and seek a second opinion. If you cannot resolve issues together, you may want to consider changing your doctor.

SELECTED SOURCES
“5 Mistakes Women Make at the Doctor’s Office” by Elizabeth Cohen, www.cnn.com, 5/15/08 } “How to Talk to Your Doctor,” AARP Resources, www.aarp.org, 2008 } “How to Talk to Your Doctor About Heart Disease and Heart Health,” National Women’s Health Information Center, www.womenshealth.gov, 5/06

Ripe Pear Salad with Boston Lettuce and Ricotta Cheese
From the American Institute for Cancer Research, reprinted from The New American Plate Cookbook
www.aicr.org

10 minutes prep time | Serves 4

1 head Boston (butter) lettuce, washed and torn
2 ripe Bartlett pears, halved, cored, and sliced
2 Tbsp pistachios, toasted and chopped
1/4 c skim ricotta cheese

Dressing:
1/4 c orange juice
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp honey
2 tsp walnut or canola oil

1. Arrange lettuce on four plates. Top with sliced pears and nuts.
Dollop ricotta in center of each salad.

2. Whisk together dressing ingredients. Drizzle over each salad and serve.

Per serving: 101 Calories, 3 g Protein, 11 g Carbohydrates, 3 g Fiber, 6 g Total fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono, 1 g poly), 25 mg Sodium, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, C, Folate, Copper