|
|
A good relationship between you and your doctor is an important
part of good health care. You must be able to communicate well with
each other so that your needs are met. Since you will likely
have about 15 minutes with your doctor, you want to be prepared
with the right questions to ask. Here are links to different categories
of questions for reference:
General Questions
- Ask your doctor about the immunizations you should have
and take action to ensure your immunizations are current.
- Discuss your risk of getting certain health conditions. What lifestyle
choices and changes might you need to make to lower your risks or
prevent illness?
- Speak to your doctor about appropriate health screenings according to
age, weight, and heredity and obtain regular screenings for such conditions
as high/low blood pressure, high/low blood cholesterol, high/low blood sugar,
etc.
- Be familiar with, and regularly practice, self-examinations
to detect skin cancer, and breast or testicular cancer.
- Ask about the risks and benefits of tests and treatments.
Tell your doctor what you like and dislike about your choices for
care.
- Make sure you understand and can follow your doctor's instructions.
You may want to bring another person along or take notes to help
you remember things.
Tests
- Do I need testing? If so, what? How much do these
tests cost? How much will my health plan pay?
- How often should I have these tests? Should I call to schedule
the test or will the doctor's office do it for me?
- How do I prepare for any tests I may need?
- When and how will I get my test results?
Fees
- What will today’s office visit cost me?
- Will there be fees for other services?
Medications
- Why do I need to take this particular medication?
- What is the name of the drug? Is there a generic alternative?
- How and when should I take it?
- Are their foods, drinks, or other things I should avoid
while taking this medication?
- What should I do if I forget to take it?
- What are the known side effects? Is this drug known to cause
birth defects? (Important for women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.)
- How long will I need to take this medicine?
- How will this medicine interact with other drugs I am currently
taking?
- Are there any non-drug measures that work as well?
Specialty Care
- Should I see a specialist?
- Can you recommend a specialist? Is he or she board certified?
- Does the specialist work out of more than one office?
- How soon should I be seen by a specialist?
- What if I can’t get an appointment for a month or
more? Should I see someone else?
Diagnosis and
Treatment
- What’s wrong with me?
- What treatment should I follow, including medical treatment
or dietary and lifestyle changes?
- What are the risks?
- What medicines are you giving me? What are they for?
- How should I expect to feel during treatment?
- What side effects, if any, can I expect to have?
- How will this problem affect me in the future?
- Where can I find emotional support for myself and my family?
- How can I expect this to affect my marriage and other intimate
relationships?
- Are there clinical trials I could participate in?
Surgery
- Do I need surgery at this time?
- Who will perform the surgery? How many times has this surgeon
performed the procedure?
- When should I have this surgery?
- Do I have any alternative options or non-surgical alternatives? (Ask about minimally invasive procedures versus
major ones.)
- Do I have choices outside of surgery?
- What are the benefits of this surgery?
- What are the risks?
- Where will I have this surgery?
- Can I have surgery as an out-patient?
- Where can I get a second opinion?
|
 |
|
