How to Talk to Your Doctor About Disability

Disability is not just a legal issue but also a medico-social one. When a worker becomes injured or sick and is unable to do work then he has to provide some type of medical proof to his employer. Doctors have the responsibility of evaluating such patients and verifying if their symptoms can limit them from completing the job's requirements. Talking to your doctor about disability is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a few steps.

Instructions

• 1

  Introduce yourself to the physician. Begin by describing what your primary medical complaint is and any associated symptoms you may have. Describe the chronological set of events that have occurred and the level of severity.

• 2

  Describe how your complaint or issue is negatively affecting your personal and work life. Moreover, if your symptoms are lowering your productivity at work or if you cannot perform the required duties, let your physician know. For example, a construction worker who suffers a back injury is unlikely to be able to work at her base level.

• 3

  Discuss with your doctor if your disabling problem is chronic. Explain how it has prevented you from completing your daily activities. It is also helpful to provide any documentation from other doctors with whom you have been working because this helps the doctor get a clearer picture of your disability's severity.

• 4

  Answer the doctor's questions truthfully and to the best of your knowledge. Allow him to examine you for any abnormal physical findings. Also allow the doctor to perform imaging studies to verify the presence of a disabling condition.

• 5

  Talk with your doctor about getting a letter of disability you can provide to your employer. This will serve as a confirmation that you have a condition that prevents you from fulfilling your work duties.

• 6

  Inquire if the doctor can fill out a disability form you can give to your insurance company or union. This will serve as a document you can use to get reimbursed if you are unable to perform any kind of work.