Determine what you really need to know before seeing the dermatologist.
Having the opportunity to sit and chat with your dermatologist for as long as you need sounds ideal, but this is not often reality. Attempting to fit in all of the questions you have within the doctor's allotted time can cause you to leave dissatisfied. One way to ensure you receive answers to your questions is to compile a list with your most pressing questions at the top.
Instructions
1. Research your skin condition or ailment to learn more about it and answer some of the questions you have before you see the dermatologist. The website for the American Academy of Dermatology (aad.org), SkinCarePhysicians.com and DermWeb (dermatology.org) offer helpful information.
2. Brainstorm a list of questions you want to ask your dermatologist. Come up with questions that directly relate to the condition or ailment you're experiencing that weren't answered in your research. Include other general questions you have for your dermatologist, such as skin care advice, prevent skin cancer, signs of skin cancer and ways to prevent aging.
3. Rank your questions by number. For instance, if you listed 10 questions, rank them from one to 10, with number one being the most important.
4. Draw a line through questions eight, nine and 10. Rank the remaining questions in order of importance. The rankings may or may not change. Draw a line through questions five, six and seven, leaving you with four questions you want to ask the dermatologist.
5. Take your list of questions to the appointment. Ask the top four questions you have. If time permits, ask the next two or three questions on the list.
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