what are the three questions you should ask your doctor before treatment

To make it a little easier, here’s a list of questions you can ask your doctor about your condition and cancer treatments. What kind of cancer do I have? What stage is it? How common is my cancer? What is my prognosis? What are my cancer treatment options?

Full Answer

What are 3 questions you may ask your doctor during your checkup?

Questions to ask your doctor before a medical testWhy is the test being done?What steps does the test involve? How should I get ready?Are there any dangers or side effects?How will I find out the results? How long will it take to get the results?What will we know after the test?

What questions should I ask my dr?

10 Crucial Questions You Should Ask Your Primary Care DoctorWhat wellness tests should I have? ... How can I eat a more nutritious diet? ... What is the best exercise plan for me? ... How often should I schedule an appointment? ... What is my risk of developing heart disease? ... What are my blood sugar numbers?More items...•

What are 3 things to look for when selecting a physician?

Here are five things you should keep in mind as you look for your primary care provider.#1 Make sure your provider is in-network. ... #2 Find a provider who will meet your needs. ... #3 Consider reviews and recommendations. ... #4 Think about convenience. ... #5 Meet the provider.

What should a doctor consider before deciding on a treatment option?

When making any treatment decision, you should consider the risks, benefits, and supporting evidence for the treatment. In addition, you should consider if the treatment is compatible with your personal values and preferences and if it is accessible at a reasonable cost.

What are 10 questions doctors ask to patients?

Terms in this set (12)What brings you in today? Why are you here?What hurts? The part of your body.What are your symptoms? Describe the problem.How long has this been going on? ... Has the pain been getting better or worse? ... Do you smoke? ... Do you have a family history of this? ... Do you take any medicines or supplements?More items...

What are the two questions you would ask a doctor about the problems you face in adolescence?

In fact, you should. It's your body....If you go to your doctor about a health problem, it's good to ask:What's the name of my health problem?Can you explain it to me in a few words?What do I need to do to get better?What medicine or treatment do I need to take?What happens if I don't take them?

What do I need to consider in doctor?

7 Essential qualities of a good doctorGood doctors are good communicators. ... Good doctors are organized and conscientious. ... Good doctors are empathetic and make patients feel cared for. ... Good doctors are curious. ... Good doctors are collaborative. ... Good doctors are persistent in advocating for their patients.More items...

How do you interview a new doctor?

Determining a Doctor's Qualifications and BackgroundIs the doctor board certified? ... Is the age, sex, race, or religion of the doctor important to me?Will language be an obstacle to communication? ... Do I prefer a group practice or an individual doctor?Does it matter which hospital the doctor admits patients to?

Which type of doctor is best for girl?

Top 7 Doctors A Woman NeedsGeneral Physician. A general physician is a family doctor. ... Obstetrician. Most gynaecologists are also obstetricians and can assist you during pregnancy. ... Dermatologist. ... Ophthalmologist. ... Dentist.

What should you not tell your doctor?

The 10 Worst Things Patients Can Say to PhysiciansAnything that is not 100 percent truthful. ... Anything condescending, loud, hostile, or sarcastic. ... Anything related to your health care when we are off the clock. ... Complaining about other doctors. ... Anything that is a huge overreaction.More items...•

What do you talk about with a doctor?

Here are some good starter questions you can ask your doctor:What do my symptoms mean?Should I be tested for a disease or condition?What caused this condition?How serious is the condition?How is it treated?Are there any side effects to the treatment?How long will treatment take?More items...•

How do you discuss treatment options with patients?

It is appropriate to personalize the risks of treatment according to the patient's age and other risk factors. Consider relevant patient values. First, listen to the patient. Their questions and comments are a reflection of their concerns based on their values.

Hearing that you may be required to undergo a new medical test, treatment or procedure can be overwhelming, especially when you may not know what your options are

Your client’s employees are sure to have the same feelings. Empowering clients with tools and resources that employees can use will not only help consumers learn how to save money and shop for care but take control of and become educated on their health care.

2. How much does it cost?

The cost of a procedure at a local hospital may differ from the cost of the same procedure at an outpatient center. Encourage your employees to use shopping, price and quality transparency tools to compare costs for tests, treatments or any over-the-counter items they may need before undergoing the recommended procedure, test, or treatment.

4. What are the risks?

Employees should also consider the risks before opting in for any test, treatment or procedure. Consider whether the proposed course of action will involve risk or lead to unnecessary pain or discomfort.

5. Do I need to act immediately?

Employees need to understand if the services recommended will help diagnose or treat a problem. Will the condition get worse, stay the same, or improve if they don’t act on it right away? Employees can also work with their doctor to understand the urgency of the treatment or procedure.

What to ask a doctor about surgery?

For example: “What are the pros and cons of having surgery at this stage?” or “Do I have any other choices ?”

What to ask in the emergency room?

While in the emergency room, ask questions if you don’t understand tests or procedures that are being done. Before leaving, make sure you understand what the doctor told you or ask for written instructions. For example, if you have bandages that need changing, be sure you understand how and when it should be done.

How to keep track of your medical care?

Ask the specialist to send information about any further diagnosis or treatment to your primary doctor. This allows your primary doctor to keep track of your medical care . You also should let your primary doctor know at your next visit how well any treatments or medications the specialist recommended are working.

What to ask your doctor about a chronic condition?

If you have a chronic condition, ask how you can manage it and if there are things you can do to prevent it from getting worse. If you want to discuss health and disease prevention with your doctor, say so when you make your next appointment. This lets the doctor plan to spend more time with you.

What to remember when deciding on a treatment?

Here are some things to remember when deciding on a treatment: Discuss choices. There are different ways to manage many health conditions, especially chronic conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol. Ask what your options are. Discuss risks and benefits.

What to say to a doctor about a medical condition?

For example, if the specialist says that you have a medical condition that you aren’t familiar with, you may want to say something like: “I don’t know very much about that condition. Could you explain what it is and how it might affect me?” or “I’ve heard that is a painful problem. What can be done to prevent or manage the pain?”

Why do doctors suggest changing your diet?

Doctors and other health professionals may suggest you change your diet, activity level or other aspects of your life to help you deal with medical conditions. Research has shown that these changes, particularly an increase in exercise, have positive effects on overall health.

Can a test cause harm?

Some tests, treatments and procedures provide little benefit. And in some cases, they may even cause harm. Use the 5 questions to make sure you end up with the right amount of care — not too much and not too little.

Are there simpler, safer options?

Are there alternative options to treatment that could work. Lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier foods or exercising more, can be safe and effective options.

What can I do to prepare for treatment?

Depending on your treatment plan, there may be certain steps you must take to prepare for what’s ahead. For example, you may need to arrange transportation to and from your treatments or modify your current medication regimen. Your doctor might also encourage you to start practicing healthy lifestyle habits (e.g. diet, exercise, meditation, yoga) to take care of your mental health and well-being throughout your treatment.

How will you decide whether the treatment is effective, and how long will it take to see results?

Your doctor will perform tests throughout your treatment to see if your cancer has grown, gotten smaller or stayed the same. Common tests include blood tests and imaging tests (e.g. CT, MRI, and PET scans). Which tests you get may depend on your particular cancer and treatment plan. It is important to note that not all cancer treatments work at the same speed, and the time it takes to see results varies from patient to patient.

What are the possible side effects of my treatment?

Your doctor can tell you which side effects you should expect from your particular treatment plan. Some common side effects include pain, fatigue, and hair loss. Ask your doctor if there are medications you can take to prevent or reduce the severity of side effects.

How will treatment affect my daily life?

You may wonder to what extent your cancer treatment will alter your daily life. Can you still exercise regularly? Can you still go to work? Depending on your plan, your treatment might keep you busy, or you may feel more fatigued than usual. Ask your doctor how your treatment might affect your day-to-day routine, so you can be prepared for any potential changes.

Can you recommend any resources that will help me learn more about my treatment?

There are many books, websites, and other resources on cancer treatment available to the public. Your doctor may know of educational and trustworthy materials that you can use to learn more about your treatment. In addition, your doctor may be able to connect you with patients who have been through similar treatment (s) during their own cancer journeys.

What should a healthcare provider explain about a surgical procedure?

Your healthcare provider should clearly explain the surgical procedure, such as the steps involved and provide you with examples. You should ask if there are different methods for doing this operation and why he or she favors one way over another.

Who should give anesthesia for surgery?

You should also ask who will be giving the anesthesia (such as an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist ; both of whom are highly qualified to give anesthesia) and ask to meet with that person before your operation.

How to minimize the risks of surgery?

You can minimize the risks of surgery by choosing a healthcare provider who is thoroughly trained and experienced in doing the procedure. You may ask the healthcare provider about his or her experience with the procedure being done, including the number of times he or she has done it, and his or her record of successes, as well as complications.

Why is it important to ask for a second opinion?

A second opinion can help you make an informed decision about the best treatment for your condition and can help you weigh the risks and benefits against possible alternatives to the surgery.

What is watchful waiting?

Sometimes "watchful waiting" is indicated, in which the healthcare provider will monitor your condition over time to observe changes and the progression of a disease. You may still need surgery, or if your condition improves or stabilizes, you may be able to postpone surgery. After a period of "watchful waiting," it may be determined ...

Why is it important to learn about your surgeon?

Learning About Your Surgeon. It is important to have confidence in the healthcare provider who will be doing your surgery. Whether this is someone you have chosen yourself, or a healthcare provider or surgeon you have been referred to, you can make sure that he or she is qualified.

Why do people have surgery?

Reasons to have surgery may vary from relieving or preventing pain to diagnosing a problem to improving body function. Ask your healthcare provider to specifically explain why this procedure is being recommended for you and make sure you understand how this may improve your medical condition.