How to Communicate with the Healthcare Team Patients and caregivers can ease some of their anxieties by establishing open, honest communication with their healthcare team regarding their diagnosis and treatment. This can help patients and caregivers better understand the prescribed treatment regimen, including how it works, what tests are involved, and what side effects and complications may be associated with it. A good first step for patients is to write down all the questions that come to mind. Before meeting with a doctor, nurse, or physician assistant either for the first time or for follow-up visits, patients should consider organizing their questions into a list to bring to the visit. Since time with doctors, nurses, or physician assistants may be limited, patients should put the two or three most important questions at the top of their list. However, patients should make sure a member of the medical team reads all the questions, because some may be more important than the patient realizes. Patients should consider having a family member or close friend accompany them to the doctor’s office or clinic to help ask questions and understand and remember answers. This person could also help by taking notes during the visit. Some patients bring a recording device to record the answers. Patients should ask the doctor, nurse, or physician assistant for permission before recording any conversations. Most oncology nurses are also very well informed about cancer treatments and are a good source of information on a wide range of topics. Additionally, oncology social workers are available to assist with practical, emotional, and other support needs throughout the diagnosis and treatment process. Although family members are often very concerned about their loved ones and want information concerning their care, confidentiality rules prohibit doctors from giving out information to anyone without the patient’s permission. For efficiency, one family member should be designated as the family contact, and the healthcare team should 51 Understanding Hodgkin Lymphoma know that person’s identity and contact information. Most importantly, it is essential for patients and their caregivers or family contact person to have the names, addresses, office number and emergency contact information of the physicians involved in their care, so that they can communicate with the oncologist or hematologist regularly or in the event of an emergency. Adding these phone numbers directly to a cell phone may be helpful so patients or caregivers have the numbers directly on hand, if needed. Open communication between patients and doctors is paramount. The following tips can be used to help patients better communicate with their healthcare team. PATIENT T Communicating With Your Doctors PI At home ■ Keep a journal of your symptoms to help you remember the details you want to discuss with your doctor during your next office visit. ■ Ask your doctor or nurse ahead of time which symptoms need to be communicated to them immediately and which can wait for your next visit. ■ If your questions are urgent, do not wait for the next visit; call the doctor’s office to discuss your concerns. ■ Ask whether your healthcare team has an online “patient portal.” These portals may provide secure email contact and educational materials, and they often allow patients to check benefits and coverage, schedule non-urgent appointments, and order prescription refills. ■ Download the free Focus On Lymphoma mobile application (app) from LRF to help plan appointments, manage medications and blood work, and document treatment side effects, record doctor visits, and list questions (www.lymphoma.org/mobileapp). Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma 52 Part 2 Communicating With Your Doctors (continued) At your next doctor’s visit ■ Bring your symptom journal and list of questions to discuss with your doctor or nurse. ■ Bring a list of the medications you are currently taking, including the dosage and frequency. ■ Ask a family member or friend to come with you to provide emotional support and take notes. ■ Do not be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand something. Your