Doctor-Patient Communication Survey

The following survey is designed to find out how people with EDS view
communications with their doctor. The results will be used for a paper on
doctor-patient communication in my communications class and will later be
incorporated as a chapter in a future publication on EDS.

You input on this survey will be greatly appreciated. Please return
completed surveys to kdavis@... no later than January 24, 2004.
Sorry for the short notice, we were only given a few weeks to complete the
assignment.

For each of the following questions, refer only to your primary care doctor.
Answer Yes or No.

Do you feel you have good communication with your doctor?

Does your doctor explain treatments or procedures clearly and make certain
that you understand them before proceeding?

Do you feel you are made fully aware of all your treatment options?

Do you believe your doctor withholds information about potential treatments
that are not covered by your medical insurance?

Are you comfortable asking your doctor questions?

Does your doctor explain all potential side effects of any new medication?

Does your doctor know about all non-prescription health supplements and
vitamins you may be taking?

Does your doctor use complex medical jargon when communicating to you?

Does your doctor employ the use of visual aids, such as skeletal models,
diagrams or photos when explaining what is happening to your body?

Has your doctor ever provided you with a patient-education pamphlet on any
condition or medication?

Have you ever left your doctor's office more confused than when you arrived?

If you call to ask a question, does your doctor return your call personally?

Does your doctor full explain your lab results?

Do you feel rushed during your appointment?

Do you feel your doctor listens to all your concerns?

Do you feel your doctor believes your complaints (i.e. pain, dislocations)?

Do you feel your doctor gives you adequate time to appropriate address your
problems?

Does your doctor ever deny you referrals for services because your insurance
provider will not cover it?

Does your doctor tell you about alternative therapy options that are
available to you (i.e. massage, acupuncture, etc.)?

Does your doctor take an interest in asking about your personal life?

Does your doctor treat you with respect?

Does your doctor talk-down to as if you are stupid?

Do you feel intimidated by your doctor?

Do you rely solely on the information your doctor gives you?

Do you do your own research and share it with your doctor?

Does your doctor respect information you provide (i.e. EDS articles)?

Does your doctor discount any information you find on the Internet?

When you bring information to your doctor, does he/she ask you questions?

Does your doctor ask enough questions to get the whole picture of what is
going on with your body?

Do you feel your doctor addresses just the symptom or the whole person?

Is your doctor your primary source for medical information?

If you suggest a treatment plan to your doctor, does your doctor evaluate
the plan with you to determine if it is appropriate for you?

If you suggest a treatment plan to your doctor, does your doctor reject it
completely?

Do you feel your doctor communicates well with you?

Do you feel you communicate well with your doctor?


For the next session, please share as much or as little information as you
wish.

Have you ever had an experience where poor communication with your doctor
resulted in problems with your health? Explain.





Thank you for taking the time to participate in this survey. Your responses
questions will be kept anonymous.

If I want to use your answer to the final question in the narrative of my
paper, I will contact you directly for permission to quote you. Please
include your email address below so I may contact you if I have questions.


Sincerely,

Barbara J. Uggen-Davis
kdavis@...