It is imperative to ask the doctor every essential question, as it
could be serious enough to decide between life and death. Especially in
case of hospital risks, questions are key. However, latest researches
show that there exists a communication gap between doctors and patients
in most cases. Most patients commit this big blunder of not getting
their doubts clarified and do not ask the doctor any questions
whatsoever about their condition or treatment. Often the patients are
seen to walk out of their doctor’s office without gathering when or how
often to take their medication. Seldom do they care to ask the doctor
about the side effects of the medicine.
Even in Emergency
cases, it is essential for you to be prepared with the questions.
Asking the right questions at the right time would also help the
doctor’s decision-making process. You need to know that the doctors are
morally responsible to answer your queries directly and honestly. Ask
the doctor if you need an extra test, take a second look or seek
opinion from a senior about treatment or symptoms.
Some
people are afraid of speaking; they do not question the doctor a second
time even if they have not understood something. However, this would
not help you any way. Those of you, who tend to forget, must write down
the questions in a piece of paper before an appointment. Let the doctor
know if you require more time. In case the doctor is busy, a physician
assistant or a nurse may assist you.
Make sure that the questions that you ask the doctor are relevant. Here are some of the questions that you must ask:
- Those with back pain without arthritis or injury must ask the cause of such pain
- In case of a severe headache, inquire if its aneurism.
- Those with a medical history of lingering flu need also to know what other problems they could face.
- If there is a breast cancer scar with the mammogram being negative, ask the doctor whether ultra-sound would be viable.
- If you had a chest pain, do not wait to know if it was a heart attack.
- Those having a stroke must make sure the consequences before taking clot-busting drugs.
- Never neglect a child acting strangely, ask the doctor whether it is because of a head injury.
- When you suffer an abdominal pain, see if an abdominal CT scan and other tests are necessary
- Those having an impaired vision should verify from the doctor if the new medications can be used.
At
the same time, it is also important that the patient satisfactorily
answers the questions asked by the doctor, as it is an important part
of diagnosis. Lying to the doctor can lead to serious health risks.