February 2007
10-minute checklist
Your time with your doctor can be as little as 10 minutes per visit, studies show. Ask the questions below to help you make
the most of it. “Your doctor should be receptive to the right kinds of questions,” says Beth Nash, M.D., who evaluates best
treatments for the BMJ Group, publisher of the British Medical Journal. “If not, then you should think about finding a different
doctor.”
Your ailment
- What is my exact diagnosis? What’s the cause of my problem?
- How long will I be sick?
- How long before I’ll see improvement?
- Under what conditions should I call you or come back? (Don’t feel better in a week? Coughing doesn’t stop? Pain becomes worse or spreads?)
Tests
- Why is this test necessary? What will it tell us that we don’t already know?
- Will the results significantly alter any treatment plans?
- When will the results be ready? Should I call you for them, or will you call me?
Treatments
- What treatments are used for my condition? Which is best for me, and why?
- What does the research show about this treatment?
- Is there any research on the horizon about treatments for my condition?
- What can I expect from this treatment, based on your experience?
- What are the side effects of this medication? Will it interact with alcohol, caffeine, or other drugs or supplements I take?
- Are there any alternative treatments appropriate for me to try, either before or along with conventional treatment?
Lifestyle changes
- How will these changes help my disorder? How soon should I expect to see an effect?
- How drastic do the changes have to be to produce real results?
- Do you have any tips that would make these changes easier?
