Healthcare Communication

Communication is key

  • Communication with healthcare providers is critical in any chronic condition, as you live with your condition every day and know what is working, what is not, and how you are feeling. You are the expert on your epilepsy treatment and goals
  • As you manage your epilepsy, it is helpful to identify how to reach your provider between visits, as well as how to communicate during visits

Identifying your goals for living well with epilepsy

When you meet your provider, he or she will discuss treatment goals with you. It is important to communicate your goals for treatment and living well with epilepsy.1

Sharing these goals can help you make decisions as a team and helps form a strong relationship.

It is important to keep track of your concerns, questions, and goals in either a written or electronic document.

Communication is key

Strategies for Healthcare Communication

Strategies for communicating with your healthcare provider.

1

Identify your goals related to living well with epilepsy.

Patient-centered goals are things that are important to you. Some may overlap with your provider’s goals, like eliminating seizures or side effects, but some may be specific to your life. These are things like being able to continue your normal activities, whether this is working, going to school, exercising, traveling, or anything else.1,2

  • List patient-centered goals related to your epilepsy treatment in order of importance, with the most important one first
  • List people you have identified as your support network
2

Keeping track of your concerns, questions, and goals between visits.

Some examples of ways to keep track of your questions or concerns is to use the following:

  • keeping a notebook to record this information
  • using a notes app or voice memo on your phone

Some people do best when they record their question or concern right away, while others evaluate their questions and concerns at the end of each day and record them.

3

Any question or concern you have about your epilepsy is important and deserves an answer.

Your goals for epilepsy outcomes may change over time. Leading up to each appointment, revisit your goals and communicate them to your provider.

Addressing questions between and during visits

You may have questions or concerns before your next appointment. There are ways to contact your provider.

  • Most offices have 2 methods for patient contact: phone calls and an online or app-based messaging service. As a patient, you can use the method that feels most comfortable to you
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References

  1. King A, Hoppe RB. "Best practice" for patient-centered communication: a narrative review. J Grad Med Educ. 2013;5(3):385-393.
  2. Stern JM, Cendes F, Gilliam F, et al. Neurologist–patient communication about epilepsy in the United States, Spain, and Germany. Neurol Clin Pract. 2018;8(2):93-101.