How to understand your doctor

Many people leave their doctor's office feeling, in a word, confused. Here are ways to improve your odds of grasping the facts:

Write out questions in advance. Go into an appointment with a list of subjects or symptoms you want to cover. That way, you don't have to waste any brainpower thinking about what else you need to bring up you can just listen.

Take notes. Write down the name of any new diagnosis, medication or treatment option and show it to your doctor to make sure the spelling is correct. Also record any instructions or tips given, after repeating them aloud for confirmation.

Keep asking questions. If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to say so. If there's a particular word or phrase you don't recognize, ask about that specifically. Doctors may forget that you don't know some common medical terms.

Bring backup. Have a family member or friend come to your appointment to give you an extra set of ears. Or ask if you can use a tape recorder to record the conversation.

Ask for written materials. Doctors often will have brochures or printouts they can give you on a diagnosis or treatment, especially if it's something common. If not, get the name of a reliable Web site or other resource where you can do more research.

Seek out another source. If you can't understand your doctor, a nurse or physician assistant in the same office may be able to explain something more clearly. Pharmacists also can help.

Request more time. Even if a doctor is too rushed extend an appointment, you should be able to schedule another time to talk in person, by phone or even through e-mail.