Tips for Communicating With Your Healthcare Team
- Talk about your healthcare goals, concerns, or any questions you may have with your doctor.
- Don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right or if you have a new symptom or concern.
- Before an appointment, write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget them and take notes during the visit.
- Ensure you have access to your patient portal and know how to use it.
- If necessary, ask for a translator and for materials in a language you are most comfortable with.
- Talk about your healthcare goals, concerns, or any questions you may have with your doctor.
- Don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right or if you have a new symptom or concern.
- Before an appointment, write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget them and take notes during the visit.
- Ensure you have access to your patient portal and know how to use it.
- If necessary, ask for a translator and for materials in a language you are most comfortable with.
Who May Be on Your Cancer Care Team?
Each of these team members plays a vital role. And you should utilize your WHOLE team – it really will make a difference in your overall health and wellness.
- Medical oncologists treat cancer patients with medicine.
- Radiation oncologists treat cancer patients with radiation.
- Surgical oncologists are surgeons who specialize in cancer.
- Primary care doctors manage a person’s general health.
- Nurses, including oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, provide and coordinate patient care.
- Physician assistants are licensed clinicians who practice medicine and provide direct patient care.
- Patient and nurse navigators help people coordinate the details of their care.
- Palliative care doctors and nurses help prevent and treat cancer symptoms and side effects.
- Patient navigators, nurse navigators, and social workers assist with finding support services, such as counseling and financial resources.
- Mental health professionals help people with emotional issues and concerns.
- Care partners, also called caregivers, are family members or friends who support a person’s care and may join them at appointments and talk through decisions.
- Patients are the most important member of the team, and decisions should revolve around a patient’s healthcare goals.
If you don’t have access or don’t know how to use to your patient portal, reach out to your doctor’s office for help – they usually have instructions to easily guide you through the setup process.
To view more Resource Guides and Videos, please visit EmpoweredHealth.org.
The program was created through a collaboration between Patient Empowerment Network and Empowered Health, a partnership between the CDC Foundation and Amgen Oncology, with technical support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ©2022