Pedro Bedoya, a specialist in internal medicine at Clinica Anglo Americana, says patients who speak honestly with their doctors, without fear of being judged, help doctors reach more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes.
Bedoya said arriving at a consultation with medical history, exam results and a list of symptoms or questions can make a major difference in the quality of care. He said this information gives the specialist a fuller picture, makes better use of consultation time and allows for a conversation in which the patient takes an active role in decisions about their own health.
According to Bedoya, patients should speak honestly and without fear of judgment about their habits, medications, ailments and family medical history, since complete information helps guide a more precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
How to make the most of a medical appointment
Bedoya recommends preparing a list of symptoms, including what is bothering the patient, since when, and what has changed. Patients should also report any medications they are using, along with previous procedures and previously diagnosed conditions.
He advises bringing prior exam results, which allow doctors to compare how a condition has evolved over time. Patients should also communicate allergies and family illnesses, since this information helps guide medical assessment.
Bedoya said patients should answer honestly about habits such as alcohol or tobacco use, since this is information a doctor cannot obtain by any other means.
Why trust matters in the consultation room
Bedoya said trust allows a patient to express themselves with complete sincerity, not only explaining all of their symptoms but also sharing information without fear of feeling criticized or judged by the doctor. He said this facilitates a more accurate diagnosis and improves how well patients follow their treatment.
The specialist added that medicine does not only treat diseases, it cares for people. He said that when a doctor clearly explains why a particular treatment was chosen, what its goal is, and what the patient should expect, the patient is more likely to follow the instructions correctly. Bedoya said that clarity also reduces anxiety for both patients and their families.
Patient rights in medical care
Bedoya said every patient has the right to receive truthful information about their state of health, to take part in decisions about their treatment, and to have their doctor set realistic expectations, treat them with respect and preserve confidentiality.
