How many times have you made a mental list of all the health problems you’ve experienced throughout the year, got to your annual physical, and forgot everything you wanted to say? How many times have you given the doctor a blank stare when they ask if you have any questions, only to remember the perfect question 30 minutes later, sitting in the car on your ride home?
Going to the doctor can be a stressful experience, especially if you’re dealing with a serious health complication. You’re taking in so much new information that it’s easy to forget the thing you want to ask or just find yourself unable to formulate a question because you’re trying to process so much new information. Here are 11 questions to keep in mind next time your doctor asks, “Any questions?”
- What caused this condition? Identifying underlying causes can help you understand any lifestyle changes you will have to make going forward.
- If a full recovery is possible, how long will it take to recover? Some conditions are lifelong conditions that can only be managed, while others just take some time to heal from.
- What can I do at home to aid in my recovery? Care doesn’t stop just because you’ve left the doctor’s office or hospital.
- How will I know if I’m recovering or if my condition is worsening? It’s not always obvious what “getting better” looks like. Ask your doctor what to look out for. This is especially important when recovering from a wound.
- What does this medication do and are there side effects? Decisions about medications are ultimately yours. For some people, the side effects of some medications outweigh the benefits. In any case, understanding the side effects will help you determine if something you feel after taking a medication is normal or if you should seek medical attention.
- Does this medication interact with any of my other medications? Some drugs should not be taken together. Your doctor will take this into consideration before prescribing you anything, but it doesn’t hurt to double check.
- What are the risks associated with this surgery?
- What will happen if I don’t have surgery? Before undertaking a surgical procedure, you should understand that it is absolutely necessary. An idea of what will happen if you don’t undergo surgery will help make that decision easier.
- Who will be performing my surgery? Knowing your surgeon’s experience and qualifications can help put you at ease.
- What are my other treatment options? For most conditions, your team can approach treatment from a number of different directions. Not all of them are right for everybody. Before deciding on a course of action, understand what other treatment options are available to you.
- Am I due for any screenings or vaccinations? Stay up to date on all vaccinations and screenings, such as cancer screenings, that are recommended as you reach certain ages.
Beyond these questions, never hesitate to ask your team for clarification on anything they tell you. While we strive to explain complex medical terms in language anyone can understand, it’s easy to forget that not everyone is a medical professional who uses this terminology everyday! There’s nothing wrong with asking a doctor or nurse to define a term they use. And finally, here is a specific list of questions to ask about wound care, pain management, or plastic surgery.
Keep This List Handy
Bookmark this page on your phone and open it up next time you go to the doctor, copy the relevant questions and paste them into the Notes app, or copy them down by hand onto a piece of paper. However you go about it, keep the most relevant questions handy so you can bring them up at your next appointment. We want to work with you to give you the kind of care that’s right for you. A big part of what we do is asking you questions, but we also want you to ask us questions so that you can be sure you’re in good hands.
