2. Assert yourself in the doctor’s thought process.
As you are recounting your medical history, take notice of whether or not your doctor is being an active listener, and solicit feedback to be sure that he or she is understanding what you’re trying to explain. If you aren’t starting out on the same page, it may be difficult to develop a partnership in determining your diagnosis.
3. Be an active participant in your physical exam.
If your doctor is conducting a physical exam, be sure that you understand what the doctor is looking for, and ask questions. If you feel that the doctor is missing or overlooking something, don’t be afraid to point it out. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask about the implications of any findings from the physical exam, and what next steps would be.
4. Make a differential diagnosis together.
Put simply, a “differential diagnosis” is a list of all the possible diagnoses that could explain your set of symptoms. Be sure that you and your doctor work together to come up with a thorough list, and have a conversation about the estimated likelihood of each possible disease. Try to understand what the differences are in the diagnoses in terms of specific or characteristic symptoms that would either increase or rule out each diagnosis. Keep asking what else could be happening to you.