Part Two: Things Young Adult Patients Wish Medical Professionals Better Understood

#7: Even when our parents are with us at an appointment we should still be the one being addressed/spoken directly to. We are the patient, it is our health.

#8: It can be hard for us to trust a new physician at first. Building the patient-provider relationship is key.

 

#9: It is okay to admit you don’t know everything about our condition(s). We respect honesty over uninformed treatment.

#10: We would like to understand all of our treatment options, rather than only getting an explanation of the one you were recommending.

#11: Asking questions can feel intimidating. Leaving allotted time for addressing our concerns is very helpful.

#12: We know you cannot fully understand our experience with our illness, but a little empathy goes a long way.