Asking questions is essential for communicating with your doctor about your body, any conditions you may have, and what you should expect from your treatment. Our bodies are complex systems made of muscle, tissue, and bone, and most often, our bodies experience issues that can be embarrassing on some level. With this embarrassment, it can be difficult for patients to talk to their doctors about what’s going on with them. Many medical problems, especially if they deal with the intestinal tract, urinary system, or sexual organs, are often a place of awkwardness, but for your doctor, it’s more important than ever to learn about it. 

Learning about these issues gives your doctor vital information about your health. However, as the disparity between doctors and their patients grows from these issues, we’re here to help make discussing these issues easier between you and your doctor by giving you some tips to follow at your next appointment. 

Why People Shy Away From The Doctor’s Office

The patient-doctor relationship is a personal connection as well as a professional one because these relationships should be a safe place to talk about sensitive subjects and find solutions. However, the embarrassment that comes with talking about memory issues, sex, digestion problems, and other health issues can often go undisclosed. Talking about these issues is a crucial part of providing healthcare, and for physicians working in general offices and urgent care centers, these topics are especially vital for providing care. 

But for many working in the healthcare industry, this concept is an all too familiar problem because it relates to the patient’s trust and privacy of their health problems. Our methods for handling these health issues involve a complex look at how we socially interact with patients, and what researchers have found is that there isn’t an established social script for how nurses and medical professionals handle the delicacy and privacy of these issues. This lack of clear guidelines means that everything involved has to occur between the patient and their doctors, and when it comes to approaching sensitive issues, the solution has to come from how we as professionals provide a safer atmosphere to allow interpersonal relationships to develop. 

Suggested Ways to Overcome Embarrassment 

So, what’s the best solution for this issue? It all comes down to reaching out, speaking to a professional that will listen to your concerns without judgment, and working towards finding better solutions for your health. When speaking to your doctor, these tips can help you find the treatment you need: 

• Be Honest About Your Emotions: If you’re embarrassed, then be honest. If you’ve already worked with your doctor a few times, then they’ll be able to provide you with the privacy you need. The more you speak with them, the better experience you will have. 
• Practice Speaking Beforehand: if this is your first appointment, practice addressing your questions beforehand to relieve any feelings of nervousness. It can help you feel more prepared when speaking with your doctor. 
• Discuss General Symptoms: Start by discussing the general symptoms and work your way from there. Using language you know can help your doctor give you a better diagnosis. 
• Do Your Research: If you intend on researching, do research through reputable sources such as medical blogs and online communities to help narrow down your experiences and find common ground. 

When it comes to seeking help from your doctor, know that they’re here to help you. Speaking to your doctor about these issues, even while they’re sensitive, gives your healthcare team the best ability they have towards helping you receive treatment.