Health Professionals Need to speak clearly and use words that their patients understand
By: Martha Funnaell, MS,RN,CDE
1 1f you do not understand a word or phrase your health care professionals use, ask them to explain what it means.
2 If the person giving advice has a strong accent, ask him or her to speak more clearly or ask for someone else to review the information.
3 Ask that they speak up if you are having trouble hearing them.
4 Ask them to slow down if they are speaking too fast for you to take it all in.
5 Write down the instructions or ask that they give you written information you can take home and read.
6 Ask if you can repeat back the instructions at the end of your visit, so you can be sure you are clear about the advice you received.
7 Bring a family member who also can listen to what is said and take notes for you, as well.
8 If you are told that your. test results are negative or positive, ask if negative or positive is the desired result.
9 Ask what your test results mean, what is measured and why they were done. This is true even if your results were "normal".
10 When you get your prescriptions filled, ask your Walgreens pharmacist to review the instructions for taking your medicines safely.
For more Questions you should ask, see the first link below.
Copied from the Spring 2008 issue of "DIABETES & YOU"..issued as Free Copy by Walgreen Drug Stores.
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