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Questions to develop open relationship?

Page last modified on: September 10, 2008
Question from Maybe: Are there specific things I should be asking so that my doctor and I can develop an open understanding?
Answer —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: The most important thing is to let your doctor know that your questions are coming out of a desire to develop an open understanding. As we said earlier, your doctor wants to feel trusted and respected, so prefacing your questions with comments indicating that you have those feelings would be a good place to start. As you and your doctor get to know each other better, you will get a sense of what s/he means by a particular phrase or expression. This can take a while, just as it takes a while for your doctor to figure out what makes you tick.

On Wednesday, February 19, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called The Doctor-Patient Relationship. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about how to find the right doctor for you, and how to create and maintain a good, open relationship with your doctor so you can be sure to get all the care and information you need.


The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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