Communicating with Health Care Professionals
After a cardiac event or surgery, it is important to follow-up with your medical team.
You can help improve the care you receive at follow-up appointments by talking with your health care team about your concerns, asking questions and getting the facts. Usually, office visits and phone calls are shorter and more rushed than you (or your professionals) want. Simple communication skills can help you get what you need – over the phone, at the hospital or during office visits.
Good communication skills help you get better results from the time you spend with all your health care professionals, not just your doctor. Use the skills from this section when you talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dietitian, physical therapist, exercise physiologist or other health care professionals.
