Forging good doctor-patient partnership.

Communication is vital in forming a caregiving team between a family and physician, according to Kurt Nicewander, a family practitioner at the Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans. To form a healthy partnership with your family physician, he suggests:

* Provide a complete health history. Be honest and specific about symptoms. Write them down as they occur, including day and time.

* Be sure your family physician knows all of the medications you are taking, particularly those prescribed by other doctors.

* If medication is prescribed, take all of it in the indicated dosages, even if you start to feel better before you finish it.

* Prepare a written list of questions and/or symptoms you want to discuss with your family physician. This will help you remember all of your concerns.

* Ask questions when you don't understand a symptom, illness, or treatment. It is your right as a patient to make decisions based on knowledge.

* Request materials that will help you better understand your health needs and any particular conditions you and your family may have.

* Follow your family physician's advice on...