How many times have you gone to the doctor, listened carefully to everything the doctor had to say, and then remembered none of it later? When you’re already dealing with chronic illness, pain, or a stressful medical procedure, it can be a burden to keep everything straight in your mind. At the end of the visit, when the doctor asks, “Do you have any questions?” The answer is probably “Yes,” but in that moment, it’s next to impossible to actually think of any. It’s a lot to take in. To help our staff give you the best care possible, here are some questions to consider asking next time you see us.
Wound Care
Much of the process of recovering from a wound takes place outside of the clinic, outside of a doctor’s supervision. Your doctor will give you information about speeding the healing process along. Here are some questions to ask to get clarity.
- What is the cause of my wound? Is there an underlying condition that needs to be treated?
- How can I prevent this from happening in the future?
- How long will it take to heal?
- Is there anything I can be doing at home to help heal more quickly?
- What are my treatment options?
- What should I eat or drink to help my body heal?
Pain Management
Our pain management plans are tailored to the specific needs of each patient, so the more information you can give us, and the more questions you ask, the better your treatment plan will be.
- Is there an underlying condition causing this pain?
- How can I prevent this pain from getting worse?
- What are my treatment options?
- Do you offer treatments other than medication?
- What should I eat or drink to help manage my pain? Which foods or drink should I avoid?
Plastic Surgery
Whether you are receiving reconstructive surgery or an elective procedure, there are questions you should ask both before and after the procedure to make your surgical outcome a positive one.
- When can I return to normal activities?
- Have you performed this procedure before?
- How can I help speed up my recovery?
- Will I need someone to take care of me after surgery? For how long?
- Will there be follow-up visits?
- How many hours before my surgery should I stop eating and drinking?
- What should I eat after surgery to help my body heal?
General Questions
No matter what kind of care you are receiving, there are some questions we can answer that can ease your stress and anxiety.
- How can my family aid in my recovery?
- What are some signs that I should go to urgent care or the emergency room?
- Are there any exercises I should do at home to help me heal?
- How do I know if my insurance will cover this visit?
- Describe your job and ask if you need to take time off or avoid heavy lifting, etc., for a period of time.
- We have a number of Spanish speakers on staff. Let us know if you feel more comfortable communicating in Spanish.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask. We’re Here to Help.
It’s likely that your care team will go over many of these points during your visit, but it’s easy to miss something or forget what you wanted to ask when you’re in pain or nervous. Sometimes it helps to write down your question beforehand and write down the answers as you receive them. You can also bring a family member to help you remember. Please don’t hesitate to ask us anything at all! Helping you heal is what we’re here for.
