Picture
dialog
Polly and Pete are sitting at a dining table.
Pete has an open folder in front of him.
Polly has a notebook in front of her and a pen in her hand.
Polly: We have your medication list and medical records in the folder. Now let’s write down any questions we have about your prostate cancer diagnosis for your appointment.
Pete: Okay, good idea.
Notebook page with questions about it
Questions caregivers may want to ask the HCP:
What treatments are there?
What side effects can we expect?
Can Pete work during treatment?
How can we contact you if we have questions?
Can I look after Pete or do we need help at home?
GREAT: The next day…
Pete and Polly sit across a desk in the doctor’s office. Polly has the notebook on her lap and her smartphone. They enjoy each other’s company.
Pete: Thanks for coming along, Polly. What would I do without you?
Polly: You definitely wouldn’t have remembered the notebook.
The doctor enters the room and shakes his hand.
Doctor: Nice to meet you both.
Pete: I’m Pete.
Polly: I’m Polly, Pete’s partner.
Doctor’s office
Polly: Do you mind if I record our conversation? I know we will discuss many important details and I don’t want to miss anything.
Doctor: Sure! That’s fine with me.
Doctor’s office
Doctor: Pete, I see we discovered your prostate cancer during a routine exam. Tell me, do you have symptoms such as frequent urination?
Pete: I don’t think so.
Thoughts swirl about Polly, Pete getting up at night to go to the bathroom (or maybe light under the bathroom door?)
Polly: Well, you’ve been getting up at night lately.
Pete: Oh, you’re right… I wasn’t thinking about that night.
Doctor’s office
Doctor: It’s always good when people around us notice things that we don’t notice. That’s why I’m glad you two are here and we can work together as a team. Now let’s go over your treatment plan.
Pete: Great! We also included a list of questions we have for you.
GREAT: A week later…
Polly and Pete’s house: Polly and Pete are sitting on the couch. The folder and the phone are on the coffee table.
Polly: I’ve updated your medication list so you have space to write down any symptoms.
How are you feeling today after the treatment?
Pete: I’m really tired. Do you think I should be worried?
Polly looks at her smartphone.
I think I remember the doctor talking about fatigue…let’s watch the recording.
Smartphone plays a voice memo
“Fatigue is a common side effect of treatment…”
Polly and Pete at the table
Pete: Thanks, that makes me feel better.
Polly: I’ll write it down and we can discuss it with the doctor if it persists.
A week later…
Doctor’s office
Doctor: How are you, Pete?
Pete: I’ve been really tired since I started treatment.
Doctor: Well, fatigue is a common side effect.
Doctor’s office
Pete: Polly kept a log and found that the fatigue lasted most of the day but was at its worst in the afternoon. I still exercise and eat – but the fatigue is seriously affecting my ability to work.
Doctor: Ah, I see. Thank you for letting me know it impacts your daily life. Let’s try to adjust your medications. If that doesn’t work, we can try a new one.
Doctor’s office
Pete: That sounds good to me.
Polly: Thank you for listening to our concerns.
Doctor’s office
Doctor: Of course! Good communication helps me help you.
End bar
Tips for communicating with caregivers:
Before the appointment, write down any questions you have.
Take notes or record the office visit.
State your concerns clearly and concisely.
Ask the HCP to clarify anything you do not understand.
Record and share all physical and mental side effects of treatment.
Establish contacts for follow-up questions and emergency situations.
For more information, visit HealthyWomen.org