Questions you need to ask your Doctor – Health and Wellness Nashville

On average, you have just 11 seconds to talk to your Doctor… on your marks… get set… go!

Doctors are busy people, and not all are best at communicating with you, their patient, so if you want to leave your appointment (in person or ‘virtually’) happy then it’s up to you to ask the right questions to get the information you need. And if you require any proof that doctors can be a little abrupt at times….

According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, only 36 percent of patients were allowed to speak up about why they came in for their visit. The numbers were even slimmer for patients who went in for specialized care. Only 20 percent of specialty care doctors asked their patients what was wrong. But even when doctors do ask why patients come in, they aren’t listening for long. The study also revealed that even when they were asked about the reason for their visit, most patients only spoke for an average of 11 seconds before they were interrupted by their clinician. Previous research shows that, when left uninterrupted, patients will talk about their symptoms for around 30 seconds to a primary care doctor and approximately 92 seconds during other types of care.

So if you want to have a better idea of what the doctor has in mind for you, and to give you the information you need to make informed decisions, make sure to ask questions, lots of them.

In the case of visiting a new doctor…
Which accredited hospitals does the doctor use?
It’s important to consider what will happen if you need surgery or hospitalization. Make sure your doctor admits patients to a hospital, clinic, or surgery center that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established quality and safety standards, such as that provided by The Joint Commission. Also, verify that your insurance plan covers care at those facilities.

What is the physician-patient communication style?
The way your physician communicates with you can make the difference between a positive relationship and a frustrating one. Post-COVID there may be more ‘telemedicine’ and virtual appointments so it is even more important to discuss this point. It depends on how involved you want to be with your care decisions, and how open the doctor is to the patient’s participation in those decisions,

What should I do if care is needed on short notice or after office hours?
In the case of a sudden illness or injury, are last-minute appointments available? Some physicians will have another member of the care team — such as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner — accessible to handle such cases. For the full list of questions, click here.

Maybe at your first visit, but certainly at your annual check-up, there are some other questions to ask that could help improve your health and what can be done to improve it.

What screening tests do I need?
Your doctor may recommend certain tests during an annual exam, such as those used to test your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But you may want to ask about the need for other risk-appropriate screening tests, including thyroid tests, mammograms (for women and men), and prostate exams (for men).

How’s my weight?
Your doctor can tell you how your specific weight can affect your health and risk of disease. If you need to shed some pounds, he or she can also suggest healthy ways to do so.

What should — and shouldn’t — I eat?
If you struggle with your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, or another problem that can be partly managed through lifestyle approaches, ask your doctor what you should or could be doing.

What do I need to know about this treatment?
If your doctor prescribes a medication or another type of treatment, it’s important to know what to expect. Your doctor can tell you why he or she is recommending the treatment and inform you about any side effects, risks, and benefits.

What should I do before my next visit?
Ask your doctor what you can work on before your next appointment, whether that means losing weight, keeping your cholesterol levels down, or exercising more. For the full list, visit this website.

There are so many questions you should ask, and don’t be afraid to keep asking until you feel happy that you know what is going on – it’s your body after all… The activetimes.com suggests some more specific questions such as:
– What is this test for?
– What are the side effects of this medication?
– Why is this medication the best choice for me?
– What may have caused this condition? Will it be permanent?
– How is this condition treated or managed? What will be the long-term effects on my life?
– How can I learn more about my condition?

This may sound a lot to squeeze into your ’11 second window’ when the doctor is allowing you to speak! But don’t be put off, you have a right to know what’s going on in your body, and what the doctor intends to do to put it right. You pay handsomely for the ability to see a doctor, get your money’s worth.