by Kate Trainor

Melissa Klein, 26, saw her gynecologist for a routine visit. When she was finally whisked from the waiting area into an examination room, nearly an hour after her appointment time, her doctor’s demeanor was curt and cold. Even more offensive than his bedside manner was his insistence that a group of 20 medical students observe her pelvic exam. “I was horrified,” says Klein. “I left feeling confused and violated, like the doctor didn’t care.”

Many women share Klein’s experience of feeling frustrated by what should be a simple visit. Doctors are overbooked, overworked and often don’t spend more than five minutes with a patient before writing a prescription and ushering her out the door. Despite the time crunch, there are ways to get the best care from your busy doctor.

Here’s how you can ensure that your doctor hears exactly what you need.

Go prepared
Timing is everything. You’ll get the most attention – and the highest quality of care – when your doctor is fresh. Make an appointment either early in the morning or first thing after lunch.

Your health history
Doctors appreciate patients who understand that time is a precious commodity, says Dr. Ronald Hoffman, author of How to Talk to Your Doctor (Basic Health, 2006). Hoffman recommends that patients provide the doctor with a copy of their “simple health history, organized like a resume.” Hoffman cautions patients to “tell the punch line, not the saga” of their history, including any major surgeries, hospitalizations, allergies and genetic disease.

Your diary
Bring a diary of symptoms, particularly if the problem is chronic, recommends Dr. Carolyn Clancy, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Even seemingly insignificant symptoms like stomach upset or headaches may be essential to finding a solution. Diet and exercise journals may also be helpful to the physician.

Take your vitamins
Patients should bring all their vitamins, supplements and prescription medications to the doctor’s office, suggests Dr. Rick Kellerman, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Your doctor can then examine the bottles and read the ingredients.

Jot down questions
Write down your questions in advance. “When you get to the doctor’s office, you might be overwhelmed and forget,” says Dr. Howard T. Sharp, chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Recording your questions ensures that you’ll remember to address important concerns. Prioritize your questions, focusing on the two most important issues. If there’s not enough time to address all your concerns in a single visit, ask to schedule a follow-up appointment.

Advocate for your health
Bring a friend, spouse or family member with you to your appointment, says L. Jo Parrish, vice president for institutional advancement at the Society for Women’s Health Research. “Patients are often overwhelmed by so much information,” she says, “especially if they have a serious condition.” You may not remember everything the doctor tells you or you might not ask vital questions, especially if you’re feeling inundated. Bringing an advocate can help ensure your questions are answered.

Surfing the net
If you’ve used the Internet to find information on your symptoms or potential treatments, bring copies of what you’ve read for your doctor to review. Most doctors agree that the Internet can both help and hurt patients. Although it’s an excellent resource, the Internet is riddled with misinformation. Consult a doctor before proceeding with treatment or self-diagnosis based on web research.

Purpose of your visit
Tell the receptionist why you’re seeing the doctor when you make the appointment. That way, the doctor can reserve enough time to address all your concerns and order any necessary tests in advance. Also, ask if the doctor has a pre-visit questionnaire, or if there’s any additional information the doctor would like you to bring to your appointment.

Get assertive
Ask your doctor about preventative care, improving your health regimen (diet, exercise and stress management) and how you should change your regimen as you age. “Given your family history and lifestyle,” says ob-gyn Dr. Janette Strathy, “what does your doctor think you should focus on: preventing or improving heart health, diabetes or daily activity?” Up to 90 percent of conditions, Strathy says, can improve with diet and exercise. Good health is largely dependent on the patient’s lifestyle.

Don’t be afraid to ask
Patients need to take an active role in doctor/patient dialogue. “Requesting information is important,” says Dr. Patricia Raymond, author of Don’t Jettison Medicine (Carthage Publications, 2003) and host of the healthcare radio program Housecalls. “Some doctors wait for inspiration to strike so the patient has to be proactive.” Request an explanation in simple terms, without medical jargon. Why does the doctor believe your symptoms amount to a certain diagnosis? How did he or she make the diagnosis? Can the doctor recommend more sources of information? If you’re experiencing mild symptoms, ask if it could be a condition that’s cause for concern or if you’re worrying needlessly. If you have a number of undiagnosed, confusing symptoms, ask the doctor what it could possibly be, even if it can’t be nailed down to one diagnosis.

Take a test
Whether you’re seeing your doctor for a routine checkup or to treat specific symptoms, ask for tests, such as blood work or x-rays, which are appropriate for your age and condition. Also, ask how your current lab results, weight, blood pressure and other measures of health compare with those from your last visit.

For the record
Request medical records from your current and previous doctors and keep new medical information on file. “Always ask for copies of your blood tests, x-rays and other medical information,” says Hoffman. File them with your medical records for reference so they’re easily accessed in an emergency, and for future appointments.

Keep your options open
Ask about various treatment options and decide which is best for you. “It’s okay to ask about cost,” says Kellerman. Inquire about insurance coverage of tests and cheaper alternatives to costly treatments or name-brand medications. Often, there is a generic option that is less expensive.

Email after the visit?
Ask your GP about his or her preferred method of communication. Some doctors like email, whereas others answer only phone
messages. Ask your doctor if it’s okay to contact him or her with follow-up questions.

Confront the issue
We’ve been taught to defer to our doctor, but most medical professionals prefer a patient who is straightforward and confronts a problem without being defensive or hostile. Patients shouldn’t be afraid to dispute their doctor’s assertions. Take a deep breath and ask if there’s a misunderstanding. Be forthright, but not accusing. Parrish advises patients to “be honest” and “speak directly about the issue.” If you disagree about a method of treatment, don’t cease treatment without first consulting the doctor with your concerns. “There needs to be two-way communication, even if there’s a disagreement,” says Raymond.

Get a second – or third – opinion
If you doubt your doctor’s diagnosis or recommendation for treatment, especially for a serious or chronic health problem, get a second, or even third, opinion. You should also seek another opinion if the doctor isn’t familiar with your symptoms or preferred treatment.

Write a letter
If you’ve had a bad visit, write a letter to your doctor explaining your dissatisfaction or requesting more time to discuss issues you didn’t have time to address during your exam.

Communication breakdown
If your doctor is dismissive, disrespectful or makes you feel uneasy, it’s time to find another physician. A good doctor is communicative and brings you in as a partner in your own care, says Raymond. If the doctor doesn’t return your calls in a timely manner or if the medical staff acts like linebackers between you and your doctor, it’s time to pull the plug on that doctor/patient relationship.

Your doctor hasn’t heard of your disease
If a doctor hasn’t heard of your medical condition or a treatment you’ve researched online, that’s not necessarily grounds for dismissal, especially if it’s an obscure case. Still, you shouldn’t settle. Get a second opinion from a specialist who is more familiar with your concerns.

Conflicting values
Do your doctor’s medical values match your own? Does the doctor advocate using alternative medicine to complement traditional therapies or does he or she dismiss acupuncture and vitamin supplements as unscientific? Does the doctor prefer prescription medication, but you hesitate to take aspirin? If your doctor isn’t willing to consider alternative treatments or preventative measures that you believe have merit, it may be time to find a better fit.

You know your body best
If a doctor dismisses your assertions, he or she is rejecting your knowledge about your body. Despite doctors’ schooling, they don’t have your intuition or intimate knowledge of your health.