What Should I Ask My Doctor?

Questions for Physicians

Don’t hesitate to ask questions

Many patients are hesitant to ask their doctors direct questions about their illness or disease or the proposed treatment and anticipated outcome. Fear of a negative reaction from your doctor to questions that might be viewed as questioning his or her competency often keeps us silent. Silence is not golden! Ask questions and don't be afraid to do so! Physicians are extremely busy and often times forget to stop and talk to their patients. The demands of a busy practice and deadlines have caused many people to comment that their doctor never has time for them or he has poor "bedside manner". There are a number of ways to get through to your doctor without being obnoxious or rude. Most doctors when confronted by honest and sincere questions will find a way to get you answers. If your doctor is unable or unwilling to answer your questions, you might consider changing doctors. It is your body, your health, and your well-being that is in question.

Below are some strategies prepared by our medical legal team at Becker & Mishkind Co., L.P.A., to help you talk with your doctor.

When you go to a doctor, prepare a list of questions in advance.

It is often difficult if not impossible to think clearly on the spot in the examining room as to what questions to ask the doctor. It is equally difficult to fully understand the "medical language" used by most doctors to answer your questions. Just like lawyers that use fancy legal terms, doctors are as guilty in terms of using a language that most of us can't understand and certainly when applied to your health find it impossible to understand.

When you go to the doctor with a new condition, make notes about the condition so that you can provide the doctor with helpful information during the history and examination. Keep your notes in a personal medical file at home for future use and reference. We often hear from doctors that the patient was a poor historian. The patient did not tell me about certain signs or symptoms or a family history of a condition or a known allergy to medications. Don't let that happen to you. The better your own medical history is in terms of major illnesses or diseases' major operations, medical conditions that you are currently taking medication for, hospitalizations, family history of diseases or illnesses, the better it will be to respond accurately to the doctor or his nurses. Know your medications, why you are taking them, how long you have had a certain illness or condition and the names of the doctors or hospitals that have treated you for those conditions.

When you see the doctor, let him know that you have some questions that you would like to ask him.

Tell the doctor, "I know you are busy and have a waiting room full of patients, but I have a few questions that are extremely important to me and I need a few more minutes of your time please." If the doctor won't listen or gets offended, too bad. The doctor took an oath and part of his or her job is to answer questions that apply to your health and well-being. Schedule a follow-u phone call or appointment if the doctor can’t talk with you just then. Consider changing doctors if none of these strategies works.

The following is a list of general questions that may help in discussions with your doctor. Obviously, each patient and medical condition may prompt a different list of questions. We hope this list will get you thinking so that you can be proactive rather than reactive to your health issues.

• What is my diagnosis or condition based upon your exam, and what does that mean?
• Do I have reason to be concerned about this condition? If so, why?
• Are there additional tests that might be appropriate to order for me? If so, why?
• What is your experience in treating this type of condition?
• Is there any reason that I should be seen by a specialist before we proceed with any treatment/surgery?
• If I want a second opinion, who would you recommend?
• What type of treatment do you recommend, and why?
• What are the risks and side effects associated with this type of treatment?
• Are there any other treatment options for my condition, and how do they differ?
• How frequent will my treatment be, and how long will they last?
• Will the treatment affect my current lifestyle?
• Will I have to have more than one type of treatment?
• How should I expect to feel during and after treatment?
• What side effects can I expect, and what side effects should I inform you of immediately?
• Is there any special diet I should follow before, during, or after treatment?
• Will I need to limit any of my daily or recreational activities because of treatment?
• If I am in pain and it is after hours, whom should I call for help?
• What type of medication can I take to help me get better?

Obviously, this list does not cover every possible question. We hope that you will become an informed medical consumer. The more you know about your illness or disease the better you will be able to handle the future physically and emotionally. This will also increase the likelihood that you and your doctor will have a better working relationship and it will have the potential to decrease your anxiety and potentially avoid an adverse outcome with regard to your care and treatment. Good luck.