How To Talk to Your Doctors and Care Team

See How To Talk to Your Doctors and Medical Care Team

Tell your medical providers about what is most important to you in life and your wishes for medical care.
If you have chosen a medical decision maker, it would be important to tell your medical providers about that person too.
If you know how much flexibility you want to give your medical decision maker, let your medical providers know about this too.

Click the videos to learn more. Your situation may be different.

Ann talks to her doctor about her decision maker and her wishes

Time: 1:09

Video Transcript

Dr Garcia: So, it looks like you’re here for a blood pressure check.

Anne: Yes, and could we also save some time to talk about the medical care I’d want if...well, you know, if I should get really sick? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.

Dr Garcia: Absolutely. Tell me what you’ve been thinking.

Anne: If something were to happen, I decided it would be best to choose my kids to make medical decisions for me, since my husband is so sick right now. And I chose my youngest son, Tom, to be the main person the doctors talk to and to speak for the group because he lives close to me and l see him often. I want him to have the final say.

Dr Garcia: OK, let’s see if I’ve got this right. You want your kids to make decisions for you if you’re not able to speak for yourself, but your youngest son Tom will be the main spokesperson and the one who will have the final say.

Anne: Right. Yes, that’s exactly it.

Dr Garcia: OK, well then I’ll make sure I put what we have just talked about in your medical chart. I’m really glad you brought this up. Now...let’s talk about your blood pressure...

Helen talks to her doctor about her wishes and religious beliefs

Time: 1:14

Video Transcript

Dr Garcia: So, it looks like you’re here for a blood pressure check.

Helen: Yes, and I’ve also been thinking about what kind of medical care I’d want—you know, if I’m too sick to make decisions myself. Can we save some time today to talk about that?

Dr Garcia: Absolutely. Tell me what you’ve been thinking about.

Helen: Well, I’ve been thinking about what’s important to me in life. You know, my brother just passed away. He was on a breathing machine for over a month and couldn’t wake up. He really suffered at the end of his life.

Dr Garcia: I’m sorry to hear that.

Helen: I mean, I do want the doctors to try treatments they think may help, as long as I am not suffering. I don’t mind trying a breathing machine for a while, if the doctor recommends it but I don’t want to have to live on the machines for a long time—especially if it’s unlikely I will ever wake up.

Dr Garcia: I'll make sure I put all this information in your medical chart. I’m really glad you brought this up. Can I ask you a few more questions about what's important to you?

Helen: Of course.

Your doctors can also help you fill out an advance directive form and put your medical wishes into your medical chart.