Are you afraid to ask your healthcare provider questions? Do you feel like doctors are too busy to listen to what you want to tell them, or will resent you for challenging anything they say? Do you sometimes walk away from a doctor appointment unsure of something your doctor said and uncertain about what to do next? If so, your experience is not at all uncommon. Patients often feel uncomfortable talking openly with their doctors and playing an active role in their own care. And this lack of communication all too often prevents you, the patient, from getting the highest quality of care possible.

If these sound like concerns you have, here are a few ways to help you and your healthcare provider communicate more effectively and work together toward the best possible care:

• Know that it's OK to ask questions. After all, it's your health and life at stake. Of course be polite, but don't worry about being too aggressive–your doctor should respect that you are taking an active role in your healthcare and want to be informed.
• Don't be afraid to challenge your doctor about something he or she says, to ask for an explanation of something you didn't understand, or to ask for the doctor to do something to make you feel safer. For example, you might say: "Excuse me, would you please wash your hands before touching me so I know that they are clean?"
• Doctors are usually busy people, so come prepared to your appointment to make the most of your time together. If it helps you to remember, write down a list of the questions you want to ask, or symptoms you want to discuss. Don't hesitate to tell your doctor everything you think is important–the more information you share, the more likely it is that your doctor will be able to help.
• If it helps you feel more relaxed or confident, bring someone with you to your doctor's appointment for support.
• It's not uncommon to have an occasionally frustrating experience at a doctor's appointment. But overall, your interaction should be positive and comfortable. If you take the above steps but still can't resolve problems together, consider changing healthcare providers.