Questions to ask your health professional
There can be a lot to take in when you see a doctor about undergoing treatment or managing a health condition, and a lot to understand. So whether you’re seeing a doctor or nurse practitioner at our onsite wellbeing centre or visiting a specialist, it’s important you feel comfortable asking questions – you want to be confident about your medical care and recovery.Not all treatments are the same. Some carry greater risks or benefits. Knowing the pros, cons and other facts about recommended treatments can help you make informed decisions, understand your pathway to recovery, and help ensure you get the best care for your needs. Here are some questions we suggest you ask your health professional.
Why ask questions?
If you don’t feel you understand how a treatment may help you then it’s best to ask the person treating you. Although many people prefer to leave the treatment decisions to the health professional, you have an important role to play in determining what’s right for you, what risk you’re prepared to accept and what risks (or even what treatments) you’d prefer to avoid.
You might like to write a list of questions to take with you to your medical appointment. Or, if you’re worried it might be a lot to take in, perhaps you could ask your health professional if it’s ok to record the consult so you can listen to it again later.
What questions can I ask?
Can you please explain to me clearly what you think the problem is?
Why are you recommending this treatment for the problem?
What benefit do you expect I will experience with this treatment?
How effective is the treatment generally for people like me?
What will the treatment involve?
Are there any side effects or risks associated with this treatment?
How long do you expect this treatment to take? Will I need to come back for follow-up or subsequent visits for treatment?
How can this treatment impact, or be impacted by, other health conditions or treatments I may have?
What will I need to do to help with recovery after this treatment?
Will you use a device as part of the treatment? If so:
- how long has the device been in use and what is its track record?
- is this device the best option for me?
What should I let my practitioner know?
Apart from asking questions of your health professional, it’s also helpful for them to know some things about your health status and background that may impact the treatment options they provide you.
Here are some things to tell your practitioner about before they treat you:
- Any medical conditions or illnesses you may have
- Any known allergies e.g. to medications or to substances such as latex
- Any medicines you are taking – not just the prescribed ones, but over-the-counter and complementary ones as well
- Things that concern you about your treatment or any part of this experience e.g. experiencing pain during or after treatment, or worries about side effects
When both you and your health professional are more informed, your path to recovery may be a little clearer and smoother.
