Specialists often play a critical role in your migraine management strategy. Dr. Dawn Buse discusses how to establish a strong doctor-patient relationship with your neurologist or headache specialist.
Many people living with migraine consider their neurologist an essential member of their migraine support team. However, you may not see your neurologist as often as your general doctor or headache specialist. For that reason, it may take longer to develop the comfort and familiarity you need in order to lean on them for understanding and medical advice.
We spoke to Dr. Dawn Buse, Clinical Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University and Assistant Professor in the Clinical Health Psychology Doctoral Program of Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, about the importance of establishing a good relationship with your neurologist. Read on to learn her advice on how to talk to your neurologist and advocate for the treatment you need.
Finding the Right Doctor for You
When meeting a new healthcare professional for the first time, always remember to trust your gut. “When you are first meeting a new healthcare professional, notice how you feel while talking to them,” Dr. Buse says. “In particular, ask yourself if you feel heard and respected, and whether they are taking your preferences, goals, history and values into account.”
To make sure your most important concerns are addressed, come prepared with a list of your top three questions. “Give your doctor this list at the beginning of the appointment to make sure your most important questions are answered and that time is allotted to talk about your biggest concerns,” Dr. Buse says. “You have every right as a patient to feel heard and respected — and if you communicate your goals and preferences up front, you are more likely to get the care and outcomes you deserve.”
If you feel like your questions and concerns are not being addressed, be prepared to speak up and let your doctor know. If you still don’t feel heard or you just aren’t getting a good feeling from your healthcare professional, don’t be afraid to keep searching.
“The healthcare professional-patient relationship should be a team effort where decisions are made together. This is your body, and this is your life,” Dr. Buse says. “You are in the driver’s seat, and you need to clearly communicate your wishes. Hopefully, this will facilitate open and honest communication, but if not, you have the right to find a different healthcare professional who will engage in a partnership with you.”
Establishing a Successful Doctor-Patient Relationship
As with any relationship, the most important thing is open communication. “The doctor-patient relationship is a relationship just like any other,” says Dr. Buse. “It’s really important that there is open, honest communication and mutual respect. Not only should the patient feel respected, but the healthcare professional should also feel respected.”
Once solid communication has been established, Dr. Buse recommends patients work with their healthcare professional to establish expectations, which could be done through a treatment contract. Doctors should tell patients what they expect the patient to do, and patients should understand the role their doctor will play in the management of their migraine symptoms.
One way you can establish clear, open communication is by bringing all necessary information with you to your appointment. This may include anything your healthcare professional asks for as well as a headache diary. Headache diaries include relevant information like the number of migraine attacks and days with headache you had in the previous month, the number of days you took migraine medication, and notes about potential triggers like stress, sleep, your menstrual cycle or environmental changes. Bring a list of current and past treatments and your responses to those treatments to your first visit as well as your list of questions you want to make sure are addressed during the visit.
It is important to know that different types of visits may be scheduled for different lengths of time — for example, an initial visit as opposed to a follow-up or inpatient procedure. For this reason, there may not be time to address every one of your questions and concerns in a single visit. Prioritizing your questions in order of urgency and concern will help you and your doctor have a more efficient, focused discussion during the time available for each visit.
Advocating for Yourself
People living with migraine should speak up and advocate for themselves. If you are interested in trying a new migraine treatment, whether a medication-based or non-medication treatment, first do some research yourself. Then bring this information to your appointment to discuss your options with your healthcare professional.
“Be open and honest with your healthcare professional about your preferences,” Dr. Buse says. “They should consider these preferences when crafting your treatment plan with you.”
If you’ve heard about a new treatment option you would like to discuss and your healthcare professional doesn’t seem willing to explore a particular treatment, don’t be afraid to voice your concerns. “You have every right to ask questions and make treatment decisions together,” Dr. Buse says.
For more suggestions on advocating for the treatment you deserve, check out our article on preparing for your first visit with a headache specialist.
To find a healthcare professional in your area, consult our find a doctor tool. You can also visit our doctor-verified resource library for additional information on everything from determining an effective migraine treatment plan to the value of a headache specialist.
