Good communications between patient and doctor require that the patient come armed with medical history and questions.
Obtaining the best, patient-centered health care depends as much on the patient as it does on the physician. Patients should arrive at their doctor's appointments fully armed with list of medications and their dosages, family history, and personal medical history so that the physician is fully informed of where they're currently at from a physical aspect. Patients should also come prepared with a list of any new symptoms and concerns as well as a list of related questions that they may have.
Instructions
1. Write questions down whenever they come to mind between appointments. Call the doctor for urgent questions that need to be addressed immediately; otherwise, take the list to the next appointment and ask the questions beginning with the most important.
2. Make a list of current symptoms, noting whether these are new or continuing, whether they have worsened or eased up and what combination of drugs and treatments affect the symptoms in any way. Ask questions about possible changes in medications or treatments, possible causes of the symptoms and whether further tests are warranted.
3. Ask the physician for a diagnosis and listen to any general information given. Ask for more details when necessary to clarify any issues. Ask what tests may need to be run in order to verify the diagnosis and what needs to be done to prepare for these tests. Ask when the results will be ready. Look up the diagnosis on the Internet and in medical books and journals. Ask the doctor if any of the recommended treatments will work in this case.
4. Ask if the doctor recommends new medications or treatments, changing medications or treatments or dropping medications or treatments that aren't working or are no longer necessary. Ask what these medications and treatments are for and how they will affect the course of care. Ask if there are other treatment options that might be tried or that might be better than the ones currently being used. Ask about the expected outcome of new medications and treatments. Ask why medications are being added, dropped or changed.
5. Ask about risks, benefits and side effects of any new or changed medication and treatments. Ask what can be done to prevent or lessen the severity of risks and side effects. Ask if there are safer treatments. Ask about long-term side effects and potential problems with current or future health conditions, such as heart disease or pregnancies. Ask how the current disease or treatment will affect work or home life and the ability to care for family. Ask about the need for surgery and surgical risks and complications.
6. Whenever the information seems confusing, ask for clarification. Keep asking questions until the information becomes clear. Don't be afraid to let the doctor know when too much information is being provided, since being overwhelmed with information can become just as confusing as too little information. Let the physician know that if further details are needed later on, questions will be forthcoming.
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