How Teens Can Be Involved in Doctor Appointments

If you have a chronic illness, you may need to go to more doctor visits than other teens. Doctor visits can be uncomfortable and even boring at times. But doctor visits are essential for keeping on top of your chronic illness and treatment plans. 

How To Get Involved in Your Doctor Appointments

Being involved in your doctor visits is important because it helps your doctor understand how you are feeling, how your treatments are going, and how they can best support you in taking care of your illness. It also helps you prepare to care for your health independently as you get older and eventually transition to adult health care. You can be involved in many ways, including actively listening to the doctor, answering questions, bringing up your concerns for discussion, asking questions, and expressing your ideas and opinions.

Speaking up during visits can be intimidating, especially if you are used to a parent or adult taking the lead. You might freeze and have to remember what you want to say. The good news is that you will have plenty of chances to practice.

Read on for tips on how to be involved in your doctor visits.

1. Prepare before the visit. Teens say that preparing before the doctor’s visit can help them be more involved during the visit. You can prepare by writing down your questions or concerns to bring up to the doctor or identifying your goals for the visit. Ask a parent if you need help. 
2. Speak up during the visit. You can make yourself heard by answering questions and sharing your opinion. It is key to answer your doctor’s questions when you can. Why? Because you know your body best! Doctors want to know your ideas and opinions about how you feel, what works well for you, and the challenges you may have with your treatments. What you think matters. Sharing your opinion also helps everyone get on the same page. 
3. Be open to meeting one-on-one with your doctor. Your doctor may ask your parent to leave the room so they can meet with you alone. It’s normal to feel surprised or nervous about this request. However, there are several benefits to having one-on-one time with your doctor. These include developing a stronger relationship with your doctor, having the opportunity to talk openly about sensitive topics, and developing your own style that may differ from when your parent is in the room.  

Being involved in discussions and decision-making during doctor visits is a crucial way to share your opinions and practice your communication skills. Your voice is important! Some of these strategies might be easier for you than others. Trust that your involvement is a process that will unfold over time and with more practice.

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01NR020005. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.