Talk to your doctor, honestly 向你的醫生坦白從寬

Speak Up During Check-Ups

How honest are you with your doctor? In many cases, we downplay symptoms or anxious feelings that we may have been experiencing.

Many of us take supplemental vitamins or use alternative medicine. Though your doctor may not ask this, it is information you should volunteer. According to a survey by AARP and NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), 2/3 of people aged 50 and older use some form of complementary or alternative medicine but only 1/3 of those people actually tell their doctors.

As a healthcare interpreter, I accompany patients to their doctor appointments. We normally start with a pre-session while waiting for the doctor, where I will get a brief medical history from the patient and his/her current health conditions. I also ask him/her if there is any particular concern or question he/she may have in mind.

On several occasions, patients did not follow doctor’s instructions and skip some medications. Or they are taking supplemental vitamins that they could not name. In these cases, they would say “this is only between you and me, you don’t have to tell the doctor.” I then will remind them, I’m an interpreter, I will only say things that you tell the doctor, if there’s anything that you don’t want to share with the doctor, please don’t tell me either. But being coy with your doctor could do more harm than good when it comes to your health.

Experts said, by telling your doctor, you can give them a bigger picture of your health and daily routines. This can also help you sidestep potential drug interactions if they prescribe a specific treatment or medication.

Many of us are embarrassed to tell our doctors that we did not follow orders. Whether it is not finishing off your prescribed antibiotics or glossing over the fact that you often forget to take daily medications, let your doctor know. Your doctor won't punish you.

So find a doctor you are comfortable with. Research has shown that patients who have good relationships with their doctors tend to be more satisfied with their care and have better results. Share information with your doctor-don't wait for them to ask you everything.

And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don't be embarrassed that you didn't understand the instructions or that you are a little baffled by the medical terms. Doctors might assume that you understood prescription directions and warnings unless you tell them that it was confusing for you. full story

向你的醫生坦白從寬

對你的醫生隱瞞事實，對你絕對沒有好處。

作為一位醫療傳譯人員，通常我都會在接待處輪候時，與病人閒聊，並了解他們簡單的病史。同時也會問他們的健康狀況。很多時候病人因為沒有語言障礙，加上我又不是醫生，所以都會侃侃而談。 然而每當聊到他們吃藥的情況，包括自己減少劑量，或者私下有吃營養補助品的時候，他們都會說「這一點不必跟醫生講啦」。

當然，身為傳譯人員，我們只是一個「工具」，我也會提醒病人，你在見醫生時，只需要把你想要講的話說出來即可，如果不想讓醫生知道，也可以不必讓我知道。然而，我還是會提醒他們，讓醫生知道這些情況，對治療你的病有很大的幫助。

試想，短短幾分鐘，最多十多分鐘的診斷中，如果你不告訴醫生這些，對方是無法了解事情的全部真相，你自行減少劑量或份量，導致病情沒有好轉，他可能就會加重劑量或者換個藥，到時受影響的還是你自己。

除了坦白從寬，也要勇於發問。很多病人都擔心「醫生很忙」，不敢多問，只要醫生沒提的，就等於不重要或者不必理會。事實上，你不問醫生可能以為你已經知道，但在求診的過程中，最怕就是這種一知半解。你可以問吃的藥有什麼作用、副作用，除了藥物還有那些方法協助治療或控制病情等。

另外，更要提醒長期吃藥的朋友，最好隨身攜帶一張「藥物清單」，方便醫生知道你目前正在服用的所有藥物。此外，如果對某些食物或藥物過敏，也要寫在單子上。萬一在外發生意外或突發事件，旁人／急救人員也可以第一時間知道你的健康狀況，給人家方便，事實上也是幫助自己。