Featured Health Topic: Doctor-Patient Communication

Good communication is an important part of the healing process. When a doctor and patient work as a team, they are more likely to achieve better health outcomes. As a patient, this means asking questions if explanations or instructions are unclear, bringing up problems even if the doctor or nurse doesn’t ask, and letting the doctor know if you have concerns about a particular treatment or change in your daily life. As a healthcare professional, learning effective communication techniques—and using them—may help you build more satisfying relationships with older patients and become even more skilled at managing their care.

The National Institute on Aging at NIH has resources that focus on the importance of good doctor-patient communication and provide tips for improving conversation and care.