Communicating with Doctors video resources

The following summary sheets are easy-reference support materials for our Communicating with Doctors video series. You can download these sheets and refer to them when preparing for appointments with your doctors or health professionals.

Video 1 resources: Advocate for yourself

Patient/Carer self-advocacy measuring tool
Self-advocacy is about taking an active role in your healthcare and being confident to put forward your own needs, concerns and preferences. Have you ever wondered how well are you able to advocate for yourself? Do you know how to start a conversation with a doctor? Take this 2 minute questionnaire and find out how well you advocate for yourself.
Summary sheet
Self-advocacy is about taking an active role in your healthcare and being confident to put forward your own needs, concerns and preferences. It’s about understanding your rights and being open to learning from and sharing with your healthcare team. Read key tips on how to learn to advocate for yourself when talking to doctors.
Advocate for yourself video

Video 2 resources: Active participation

Summary sheet
Active participation is engaging with your healthcare team during your appointments by asking questions and getting involved in discussions about your care. Read our tips on how to actively participate in discussions about your health care and ensure your concerns are discussed.
Active participation video

Video 3 resources: Communicating emotions

Summary sheet
A cancer diagnosis can bring on a lot of emotions. These reactions are natural. Sharing your feelings may help you to understand what is going on for you and to feel more in control. Sharing feelings also lets your doctor consider your emotional needs when planning your treatment with you. In this summary sheet you will find tips on how to talk to your doctors when you don’t feel they are listening to you and learn to feel comfortable sharing your emotions with your doctor.
Communicating emotions video

Video 4 resources: Partnering with your doctors

Summary sheet
Patients and their carers are encouraged to work together with their doctors, to build a partnership in finding the best treatment path. The partnership process helps you to feel more in control of your situation. In this summary sheet we outline strategies to improve communication and create strong partnerships with your doctors.
Paternering with your doctors video

I like to gather information about my cancer care

Learning about your or your loved one’s cancer, treatment options, possible side effects and available support services can help you better advocate for yourself. Your acquiring of new knowledge and becoming more interested in your illness may help you better cope with your illness. It also allows you to actively participate during doctor appointments and confidently make decisions that are right for you.

If my doctor recommends something I don’t understand, I ask

Patients who actively engage during their appointments and ask questions feel more in control. They are also more likely to receive care that suits their values and preferences. It is your right to ask questions and be involved in open and honest communication.

When decisions are being made about treatment options, I give my opinions

By participating in the decision-making process, patients have better control over their health. Doctors need patients and families to share what matters to them, and patients need doctors to help them compare treatment options and evaluate their effectiveness based on the patients’ values and goals.

If I am nervous, or sad, or worried about my care, I share my feelings with my doctor

Telling your doctor how you are feeling helps you feel in control. Sharing how you feel also help your doctor consider your emotional needs when planning your treatment with you. Telling them your worries and fears or as carer, worries that your loved ones have, help them know you as a person, and they will be in a better place to support you.

I make sure my rights, as a patient or carer, are respected

Your healthcare rights are set out in the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights and providers must respect them. By asserting your rights, you ensure that you receive safe, high-quality care.

Please enter your email address if you would like a copy of this information emailed to you

Submitting... Please wait.

Questions about cancer?

Call or email our experienced cancer nurses for information and support.

Contact a cancer nurse

Aboriginal communities

Charity ABN: 61426486715

Cancer Council Victoria would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal people.