Take Care

How to Get Your Doctor to Listen: Patient Advocacy Tips | Ep. 6

Melody

It’s a frustratingly common experience: your doctor is rushed, typing on a computer, and barely making eye contact, leaving you feeling unheard and intimidated. In this episode, Melody Mulaik tackles a listener's question “How to Get Your Doctor to Listen?” This happens too often in the modern electronic age, so Melody provides word-for-word scripts you can use to politely but firmly get the time and attention you need. Melody encourages you to advocate for yourself, reminding you that your appointment is for you, and you should never leave until your questions are answered.

Featured Topics:

  • Why doctors often seem rushed and distracted by their computers
  • Polite scripts to use before your doctor leaves the room
  • How to get the doctor to come back if they’ve already left
  • Why you don’t need to feel like you’re inconveniencing your physician
  • The importance of advocating for yourself to get the care you need

Tune in to learn how to turn a rushed, unsatisfying appointment into a productive conversation where you feel heard and your concerns are addressed.

What You’ll Hear: 

  • 00:20 - A Common Challenge: The Rushed Doctor 
  • 00:50 - The Goal: Face-to-Face Time 
  • 01:05 - Strategy 1: The "Before You Go" Pause
  • 01:50 - Strategy 2: Asking Staff for the Doctor to Return
  • 02:10 - How to Politely Push Back
  • 02:45 - Don't Leave Until Your Questions are Answered
  • 03:20 - Your Cue: "Is There Anything Else I Can Do for You?"
  • 03:35 - Mindset Shift: You Are Not an Inconvenience

Want to Ask Melody: https://takecarepod.com/ASK 

Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode, and let us know what topics or questions you need help with - we’re here to support you every step of the way!