Health ministry of republic of moldova the university of medicine and pharmacy nicolae testemiţanu

If interrupted, will ask the doctor to stop and listen respect-
fully
. Some studies say it takes only 23 seconds before a doctor inter-
rupts his patient. Dr. Jerome Groopman, author of How Doctors Think, 
states that doctors interrupt their patients within 18 seconds of the start 
of their conversation. If your doctor interrupts you, politely ask him to 
listen to your entire list of symptoms, or to let you ask your entire ques-
tion. Sometimes a simple gesture such as gently holding up your hand 
will alert your doctor to stop and listen to you.
–
Will ask his doctor what to expect next. 
No matter what point 
you are in your transition through the system: before, during or after 
diagnosis or treatment, asking your doctor what happens next will help 
you understand what is going on immediately, and what your outcomes 
might be. For example, if your doctor says he is sending you for a 
medical test, you might ask what he expects the results will be, or what 
the possible outcomes might be, and what they would mean. If he can 
manage your expectations, you will have more confidence about the 
process and its outcomes.
–
Will know which questions to ask the doctor, and which to 
save for others.
The questions, such as directions to a testing center, or 
the time of your next appointment, or where you should park your car, 
can be asked of others on the doctor's staff. That conserves your short 
appointment time for the important, medical aspects of your care.
Generally, by "promoting your own health," we mean doing four 
things: 
become as knowledgeable
as possible about your own health 
conditions; 
take good care of yourself
; 
make the most of your encounters 
with your doctor;
and 
keep careful records
.