Effective Communication with Your Headache Doctor

Honest and thorough communication with your doctor is necessary to ensure you’re getting the right treatment. The better you are at communicating with your headache doctor, the more you will be able to get out of the relationship and the better care you will receive.

Tips to keep the lines of communication open with your headache doctor: 

Relax and try not to stress.

Easier said than done. However, while it may be worrisome to have a headache disorder diagnosis, try to focus on the appointment and making the most out of the face-to-face time with your doctor. Feel better knowing the (often limited!) time you have with your doctor was spent wisely.

Ask your headache doctor if you don’t understand why he or she is prescribing medication or a test.

It’s important that you are an educated health consumer. Speak up if you need clarification on what care is ordered for your headache disease diagnosis. Your doctor wants you to feel comfortable with the treatment plan. If you don’t fully comprehend that plan, that’s not possible.

Tell the truth about symptoms you are experiencing.

If you aren’t honest about your condition, your provider won’t know the full extent of your symptoms and thus won’t be able to accurately treat you. Doctors appreciate your honesty and that goes a long way with helping them format a successful treatment plan. As well, sharing information about your health — both emotional and physical — helps to enhance understanding between you and your provider.

If you feel like your headache doctor is talking over your head, stop them and ask for clarification.

Don’t hesitate to tell your doctor you don’t understand something they are explaining. Doctors are only human and may not always know when they haven’t explained something carefully or have glazed over the parts that may be important to you. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed or shy about asking your doctor to explain something more clearly. If you’re confused, repeat back what your doctor has said and double-check that you understand it correctly. You can also ask if he or she can provide you specific reading materials about your condition.

Know what to expect after your visit.

Before you leave the office, make sure you understand your doctor’s instructions for the next steps. Do you need to go to the pharmacy to pick up your new medication? Or will it be shipped to you from a special pharmacy? Does your doctor expect you to follow up with a specialist? And if so, who makes that appointment? Ensure you are clear as to the next steps, so you can feel confident you are following your doctor’s plan of care as it was prescribed.

Make sure you’re holding up your end of the bargain.

You’ll want to stick to the plan that you and your doctor agreed upon. If you can’t (maybe the medication your doctor prescribed is causing unwanted side effects, or you decide against a test or procedure), it’s imperative to let your doctor know so both of you can reassess the best treatment plan.

Don’t be afraid to find another headache doctor if you aren’t happy with the care you are getting.

A relationship with a doctor is like any relationship, and you need to feel that it’s the right one for you. If something about the arrangement doesn’t feel right, that’s worth paying attention to. After all, your doctor is supposed to be your trusted advocate. If you are unsure about how to find another doctor, give your insurance company a call and they can help with the process of finding someone in your plan’s network.

Statistically, patients that are actively engaged in their treatment decisions, with their providers as partners in their health, have better outcomes. Being a more assertive, informed patient is a great first step toward better health. While your doctor has medical knowledge and experience, you know your body better than anyone else. You should work to establish and maintain a partnership with your doctor. After all, you are there for the same goal: to have a healthy life!

For more information about headache disease, insurance or access challenges, or if you need free one-on-one assistance from a case manager, visit patientadvocate.org/migrainematters.

Written by:
Emily Brown
Patient Advocate Foundation