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Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a doctor’s appointment? Maybe intimidated, embarrassed, or frustrated?

Granted, there’s not much dignity in seeking medical care. But some experiences are more uncomfortable than they should be.

For example, we might be intimidated by a physician who uses words or concepts we don’t understand. Embarrassed, because the gown they give us to cover our considerable-sized behinds just won’t wrap all the way around. Frustrated, because we are forced to wait too long for our appointments. You can probably think of other ways you’ve felt uncomfortable, too.

My friend Roberta, a well-endowed woman with a preliminary diagnosis of breast cancer, had an appointment with a surgeon. She was given a much-too-small gown to wear. Worse, the surgeon walked into the exam room and announced, “Hi! I’m the boob man!” She was embarrassed and disturbed.

Francine was annoyed when her doctor used words she couldn’t understand. He told her that her symptoms were “idiopathic,” and she felt insulted.

Just recently I was frustrated when I arrived on time for my flu shot appointment, only to be ignored for 1-1/2 hours before I finally got the injection.

So what can we patients do to improve these kinds of situations? Speak up! Stick up for ourselves! If we don’t, who else will?

Roberta told the surgeon to address her more respectfully, then asked that next time she be provided a larger gown. Francine summoned the courage to ask her doctor to define idiopathic. She learned it simply meant they had no explanation for her symptoms. And at the point I lost my patience waiting for my flu shot, I stepped into the hallway and refused to budge until someone was ready to give me the injection. Later I sent them an email which outlined my expectations for subsequent appointments.

Our doctors are service providers, and as such, we deserve respect us as their customers. Too often we feel invisible, as if our time, opinions and needs are irrelevant or unimportant. If we continue to passively accept that attitude, it will never improve.

If you find yourself in an uncomfortable position while visiting your doctor’s office, then say something. Be respectful, but be definite. Explain your point of view, and what you would like them to do to improve the situation.

And if they are unwilling? Then it’s time to find a new provider.

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Learn more about communicating with your doctor and his or her staff.

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Trisha Torrey is Every Patient’s Advocate^TM.
She offers no medical advice, but empowers those who
want to learn more about diagnosis and treatment options by
providing useful tools and resources.