Questions to Ask Your Doctor

The Importance of Asking The Right Questions

Asking questions at doctor appointments plays a major role in good communication with your doctor. By asking the right questions you can improve your understanding of your overall health and your medications. If you don’t ask questions your doctor may assume you already know the answers and you may not have all the information you need. There is a wide range of questions that you may want to ask including questions regarding medical tests, medications, nutrition, and possible follow-ups.

Medical Tests:

Sometimes doctors need to complete extra tests to learn more about your health condition. These tests can include blood work, glaucoma tests, x-rays, and many others to check for hidden medical issues. Before the test, it is important to communicate with your doctor to fully understand the procedure and why it is being performed.

Questions to Ask:

• Why is this test being done?
• What steps does this test involve? How should I prepare?
• Are there any dangers or side effects that come with this test?
• How long will the results take and how can I access my results?

These questions will give you a better understanding of why the test is being performed. How you should prepare beforehand and what to expect afterward.

Diagnosis Discussions:

A diagnosis by a doctor identifies your disease or problem. The diagnosis is based on your lab work, tests, and physical exams. Asking questions is vital to your health and well-being, understanding your diagnosis ensures you comprehend what to expect, how to take care of yourself, and what it means long term.

Questions to Ask:

• What could have caused this?
• Is this a permanent condition?
• How is this treated or managed?
• What should I expect from the treatment or management plan? Are there side effects?
• What will the long-term effects be?
• How can I learn more about my condition?

Medication Management Questions:

If you are prescribed medication it is crucial to fully understand how to work the medication into your daily schedule, how it will affect your life, and safety precautions. Asking questions about medications you are prescribed will help you prepare accordingly and keep safety a top priority.

Questions to Ask:

• What is the purpose of this medication?
• Are there possible negative interactions with other drugs?
• When should I take this? Should it be taken on an empty or full stomach?
• What are the possible side effects to watch out for?

Overall Wellness Questions:

Communication with your doctor concerning your overall well-being will help ensure a happy and healthy life. This is a great time to ask questions that don’t fit into any other category. Any concerns or curiosities can be addressed with your doctor. This will help fill in the gaps regarding your nutrition and wellness and give you a big picture of your health status.

Questions to Ask:

• Am I getting the right nutrition? Does my diet match my age and health needs?
• What should I work on improving for my next visit?
• Are there any supplements I should consider taking? If, so why and what recommendations do you have?
• Am I up to date on vaccinations?
• Is my sleep schedule normal?

This list of questions is a great step to take to improve communication with your doctor. Furthermore, it will help increase your personal knowledge of your overall well-being and health status. Improving communication with your doctor will help maximize your doctor visit experience. Continuing to ask questions and learn more about your condition will help with continued learning and improvement for your quality of life and your health.