 |
Be prepared and ask questions
- Research, research, research. Research the health concern using reliable print or
online sources prior to the doctor’s appointment whenever possible. Contact
non-profit organizations or governmental agencies for information or advice on credible
resources. (Imaginis provides a list of resources for breast cancer and women’s
health issues at http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/menu-resources.asp).
Don’t rely on memory on the day of the appointment. Jot down questions and bring
reference materials. If unsure of the diagnosis prior to the appointment, try searching by
symptoms to get an idea of possible diagnoses. Read about various diagnostic tests and
treatments for the condition. An informed patient asks more relevant information and often
gets more detailed answers to her questions. After the appointment, performed more
detailed research using the information the doctor has provided.
- Try to bring past medical records to a new doctor whenever possible. If diagnostic
tests (such as CAT scans, MRIs, mammograms, etc.) were performed, bring a copy of the films.
- Ask questions, questions, and more questions. Being a proactive patient means asking
a lot of questions. As described earlier, researching before and after appointments can
help patients determine what questions to ask. Here are some suggestions:
- If a medicine is prescribed, try to ask detailed questions about the medicine. For
example, ask the name of the medicine, how it works, when and how long to take it, what
foods and drinks to avoid, what side effects are possible and if there are ways to deal
with those side effects, how to know when the medicine is working or not working, and
whether interactions are possible with other prescription or non-prescription drugs.
- If a medical test or procedure is needed, get a full explanation of what will happen. Ask
the doctor to explain the procedure from start to finish. Ask why the doctor believes the
procedure should be performed, whether it will require a hospital stay (and if so, for how
long), what side effects are possible, the estimated length of recovery, what it will feel
like after the procedure, whether follow-up care is necessary, when test results will be
available, etc. Don’t forget to ask about the doctor’s experience. Ask how many
how many of the particular procedure the doctor has performed. The more the better. Ask
about the alternatives and pros and cons of any recommended procedure/treatment.
If a doctor won't answer your questions,
ask one more: "Where's the door?" |
- Always get the test results. Never assume no news is good news. Ask for the results of
all medical tests and for an explanation of what the results mean. Before the test, ask
when to expect the results. Follow up with the doctor’s office or medical facility if
results don’t come when expected.
- Get a second opinion for any major procedure, such as surgery. Patients diagnosed
with serious conditions (such as breast cancer) should not hesitate to get a second
opinion before beginning treatment. The purpose of a second opinion is to obtain a
comprehensive, independent review of the diagnosis and the planned course of treatment. It
is essential that patients have confidence in their doctors and treatment teams
before proceeding with treatment.
- Follow the doctor’s instructions. According to the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the National Council on Patient Information and Education, 14% to 21% of
patients never even fill their original prescriptions. Many others fail to schedule
follow-up appointments in a timely manner or conform to other doctor’s instructions.
Patients should never blindly follow advice that makes them uncomfortable. They should ask
questions if a doctor’s advice sounds out of the ordinary. If the answers aren’t
satisfactory, get a second opinion. However, patients satisfied with their doctor’s
answers should adhere to their advice to ensure the best medical care possible.
Additional Resources and References
Updated: September 17, 2007
< Prev | 1 | 2
Return to Breast Health
Main Menu |
