8 questions every patient should ask their doctor
Doctors work hard to give patients the best treatments available. But patients do not always understand all of the information about their illness or condition. This isn’t the fault of the doctor or the patient. For doctors it is important to leave time for any questions the patient might have at the end of your visit. Yet for patients, it is important to know what questions to ask.
These 8 questions that you should ask your doctor can help you understand your diagnosis, your treatment options, and the best plan for your health.
What is my diagnosis?
It may seem evident to you what your doctor is treating, however sometimes it’s not as clear as it appears. Always ask what you are being treated for so that you know your diagnosis.
What is this medication for and what are the side effects?
You may think you’re getting a medication for diabetes when the truth is that the medication is for high blood pressure. When you get a new medication, always ask what it is for. In fact, have your doctor write it down for you.
You should also know the side effects of the medication, what to do if the side effects occur, and what to do if you miss a dose.
Also, it’s always a good idea to ask if the medication is necessary, especially if you are on multiple other medications. You’d be surprised how many medications you might not have to take. This goes for antibiotics as well. Ask your doctor, “Do I really need an antibiotic?” If there is another treatment choice other than antibiotics, you should know and get the chance to make an informed decision whether or not to take the antibiotic.
Finally, make sure you ask your doctor if your new medication is safe with the other medications you are currently taking, whether it might affect your lifestyle (i.e. drugs that can cause weight gain or decreased libido), and whether the medication is safe if you are pregnant or nursing. Your doctor should be able to check the interactions and safety profile to make sure the new medication is compatible with your existing prescriptions.
What is this test for?
If your doctor orders a test, you should know what they are looking for. Whether it is a blood test, x-ray, CT scan or ultrasound, ask what specific laboratory results your physician is most interested in seeing and what they are concerned about.
Again, have them write it down so you can remember why the test was ordered. When the tests come back, make sure your doctor explains each individual result, especially the abnormal tests.
How sure are you about the diagnosis?
A doctor can never be 100% certain of a diagnosis or treatment option. Much of medical care is trial and error and weighing the risks and benefits of a particular treatment. There are times when specific tests like x-rays, CT scans, or even lab work can be close to 100% convincing of a particular diagnosis. However, even after testing there is room for error.
The important point is to find a doctor who is willing to tell you of their uncertainty when they have doubts. Doctors are trained to recognize specific elements in a patient’s history and physical exam that are most consistent with a diagnosis. However, medicine is not a perfect science and doctors can be wrong.
Choose a doctor who is willing to tell you their certainty level but is also confident that the treatment option is appropriate to try and is willing to bring you back if it does not work. In fact, a doctor who recommends a second opinion, assuming it does not happen on every visit, knows their limits and is willing to ask a specialist for their recommendation. That modesty can go a long way and it’s a great trait to find in a doctor.
What are my treatment options? Is there anything I can try before a prescription?
This is perhaps one of the most important questions. Let’s say that you’re going to your doctor for an acute illness like sinusitis or bronchitis. Maybe your doctor decides that he or she is going to prescribe you an antibiotic. The first question I would ask is whether they feel the antibiotic is really necessary. But just as important is; are there any other treatments that might help alleviate symptoms and improve the illness?
Many times, there are a number of treatments that have not been tried and other times it just takes more time to get better. Most illnesses are viral in nature and these generally do not require antibiotics. There may be other problems such as high blood pressure that can be treated with diet before medication. Anytime a doctor prescribes a new medication, always ask if there’s anything you can do before taking the medication.
What’s the evidence?
Evidence-based medicine is a huge part of medical care now. There is an art to caring for patients, and different doctors treat patients in various ways. However, you also want to make sure that your doctor is keeping up with the current literature and not straying from the mainstream practice of medicine. The more experience physicians get, the more likely they are to continue practicing in a way that may not be accepted anymore because they are accustomed to a particular treatment.
Don’t feel afraid to ask your physician for the evidence behind their decision or where you can find resources to look up their treatment plan. They should be able to provide this information. For instance, if you contract influenza and your doctor recommends Tamiflu, ask them about the evidence for this medication. You might find that the evidence is quite lacking.
Just remember that there is not evidence to support every treatment. Sometimes there is consensus opinion by the medical field. If this is the case, your doctor should be able to discuss this with you as well.
If this doesn’t work, what should I try?
Your doctor should always have a contingency plan. If they try a specific treatment and it does not work, they should be able to tell you what the next step might be. For instance, if you have a rash and the doctor tries steroid cream unsuccessfully, they should be able to tell you what they plan to do next, whether that is using another cream or a referral to a dermatologist. Don’t feel trapped if the treatment is not working. Knowing the next steps can be reassuring and beneficial to your health.
When should I follow up?
Knowing when and if you should follow up is also very important, as this assures you have support throughout your illness. On the same token, make sure you follow up when asked to do so. I have seen a number of patients who are referred to another physician never make an appointment, and then have worsening of the illness for which they were being treated. When your doctor is unsure or is trying a treatment, they are looking out for your best interest by asking you to follow up or referring you to a specialist. Take them seriously and follow up as instructed.
Conclusion
Understanding your health is complicated in our society today. Find a doctor who you can trust to help you understand the questions above.
Are there any other questions that are important to ask your doctor? Comment below.