Surreal illustration of a young person listening to medication advice.

Decoding Doctor-Speak: How to Get the Most Out of Your Medication Consults

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals gaps in patient-provider communication about medications. Learn how to navigate these conversations for better health outcomes."

Navigating the world of healthcare can sometimes feel like deciphering a foreign language. Doctor's appointments, especially when they involve new medications, can be overwhelming. You're often left juggling information about dosages, side effects, and potential interactions, all while trying to remember what you wanted to ask in the first place. This is especially true for adolescents and young adults (AYA) who are transitioning to managing their own health.

Clear communication between patients and healthcare providers is essential for effective treatment. When it comes to medications, understanding the 'what,' 'why,' and 'how' is crucial for adherence and positive health outcomes. However, research suggests that there are often significant gaps in these conversations, leaving patients feeling confused and ill-equipped to manage their medications effectively.

A recent study published in Children's Health Care sheds light on this important issue. Researchers developed and tested a new tool, the Communication About Medication by Providers-Adolescent Young Adult Version (CAMP-AYA), to assess patient perceptions of medication-related communication. The findings reveal specific areas where communication often falls short, offering valuable insights for both patients and providers.

The Communication Breakdown: Where Are the Gaps?

Surreal illustration of a young person listening to medication advice.

The CAMP-AYA study uncovered several key areas where communication between healthcare providers and young patients needs improvement. While many doctors excel at explaining the basics, certain crucial details often get overlooked. Understanding these gaps can help you be more proactive in your next appointment.

The researchers found that while the majority of providers discussed the reason for prescribing the medication (96%) and how to take it (93%), other important topics were frequently neglected. This suggests a need for a more comprehensive approach to medication counseling.

Barriers to Medication Taking: Only 56% of providers explored potential obstacles, such as cost, insurance restrictions, or lifestyle challenges that might make it difficult to adhere to the prescribed regimen.
Educational Materials: Just 55% of patients received written materials or web links to learn more about their medication.
Memory Aids: Only about half (52%) of providers offered suggestions on how to remember to take the medication consistently.
Understanding Check: Fewer than half (47%) of providers actively assessed the patient's understanding of how to take the medication, either through closed-ended or open-ended questions.

These findings highlight the need for patients to be active participants in their medication-related conversations. Don't be afraid to ask questions, voice concerns, and seek clarification on anything you don't fully understand.

Empowering Yourself: Tips for Better Medication Conversations

You don't have to be a passive recipient of medical advice. By taking an active role in your medication-related discussions, you can ensure that you have the information you need to manage your health effectively. Here are some practical steps you can take:

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/02739615.2018.1531757, Alternate LINK

Title: Development And Preliminary Validation Of A Patient-Reported Measure Of Patient–Provider Communication About Medication Prescriptions For Adolescents And Young Adults

Subject: Clinical Psychology

Journal: Children's Health Care

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Jill M. Plevinsky, Rachel N. Greenley, Lindsey Bugno, Samantha Carreon, Eva C. Igler, W. Hobart Davies

Published: 2018-10-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is the CAMP-AYA tool, and what does it reveal about communication regarding medication between healthcare providers and patients, specifically adolescents and young adults?

The Communication About Medication by Providers-Adolescent Young Adult Version, or CAMP-AYA, is a tool developed to assess patient perceptions of medication-related communication. It highlights gaps in discussions between healthcare providers and young patients. The CAMP-AYA study revealed that while most providers explain the medication's purpose and how to take it, many neglect to discuss potential barriers to taking the medication, provide educational materials, suggest memory aids, or actively check the patient's understanding. By addressing these areas, healthcare interactions can become more productive.

Why is it crucial for patients, especially young adults transitioning to managing their own health, to actively participate in medication-related conversations with their healthcare providers?

Active participation ensures patients fully understand their medication regimen. The CAMP-AYA study indicates that providers often overlook discussing barriers to medication taking, providing educational materials, suggesting memory aids, and checking for understanding. By asking questions and voicing concerns, patients can fill these gaps and improve adherence to the prescribed treatment, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. It empowers patients to clarify dosage instructions or uncover insurance hurdles.

Beyond explaining the basics of why a medication is prescribed and how to take it, what other crucial aspects are frequently overlooked by healthcare providers according to the CAMP-AYA study?

The CAMP-AYA study identifies several key areas where communication falls short. These include failing to explore potential barriers to medication taking, such as cost or lifestyle challenges; neglecting to provide written materials or web links for further education; not offering suggestions on memory aids to ensure consistent medication adherence; and not actively assessing the patient's understanding of how to take the medication. Addressing these overlooked aspects can lead to more effective treatment.

What are the potential implications of healthcare providers not assessing a patient's understanding of their medication regimen, as highlighted by the findings related to the Communication About Medication by Providers-Adolescent Young Adult Version (CAMP-AYA)?

When providers don't assess a patient's understanding of their medication regimen, patients may misunderstand dosage instructions, potential side effects, or interactions with other medications. The CAMP-AYA study indicates that fewer than half of providers actively check for understanding. This lack of assessment can lead to non-adherence, adverse drug events, and ultimately, poorer health outcomes. This understanding can be determined through open ended or closed ended questions.

In what ways can patients empower themselves to have better, more informative medication conversations with their doctors, based on the communication gaps identified by the CAMP-AYA research?

Based on the Communication About Medication by Providers-Adolescent Young Adult Version research, patients can empower themselves by proactively asking questions about potential barriers to taking the medication, requesting written educational materials or web links, and seeking memory aids to help with adherence. Additionally, patients should not hesitate to ask their healthcare providers to check their understanding of the medication regimen, ensuring that all aspects of the treatment plan are clear and well-understood.