Asking the Right Questions

Unofficially, the month of July has also been dubbed as the time to “stay away” from hospitals due to the influx of new trainees which is grossly exaggerated. Most people assume that a higher volume of new trainees means that quality of care will decline and that mortality rates will increase. However, I challenge such a dangerously exaggerated idea with some insight and truth.

While it is true that that new learners flood the scene early in July every year, it also means that supervision has increased. Trainees and supervisors alike are high alert. All medical decisions are double checked and supervised, questions are asked to refine the process of providing high quality medical care, and every patient benefits for the interconnected system of a multi-disciplinary team.

So while many fear that July is the “worst time to go to the hospital” it is in fact probably one of rarest times every detail of your care will be closely scrutinized.

In many ways, the check and balances of medicine have served to significantly reduce medical errors including operating on the wrong part of the body, administering medications to the wrong patient, and leaving instruments behind in human bodies. Safety in medicine has drastically improved of the past few decades, however no system, including the healthcare system, is 100% full proof, medicine included. On rare occasions, despite the best intentions, errors happen and can have devastating consequences.

During my training, I have often counseled my patients about the realities of medicine and encouraged them to advocate for themselves. Speak up, ask questions, and be an active participant in your care. Your doctor may the expert in a given specialty, but no matter what your educations level, gender, background, culture, or language you are the expert about yourself. Only you truly know what it feels like to be and live in your body, so you have a very valuable contribution to make to the conversation.

Below are a few helpful tips as well as questions to ask for patients when interacting with their doctors:

Tips:

1. Come prepared: Prior to each of you doctor’s visit, come with a reasonable/focused list of your concerns/questions. Visits last anywhere from 15-30 minutes per patient so you may not be able to get through every concern on your list, however, is still important to bring all your concerns to your doctor. The reason for this is that some concerns you may think are not important or unrelated could be a critical piece of the story your doctor needs to better care for you. No questions is silly and no concern is too small or insignificant.

2. Bring all medications and medical records (if possible): There are a variety of medical record systems out there so your doctor may not always have the most up to date information. When possible, keep copies of images and important paperwork about past diagnosis. Sometimes when different factors are involved such as moving frequently, having a rare diagnosis, or coordinating care with different specialists can make it hard to keep track of everything. That is where a copy of your records come in; it gives your doctor of snapshot of everything that has happened prior and avoids repeating unnecessary tests and procedures.

Also, briring all the medications you are currently taking; this will minimize risk of drug-drug interactions.

Questions to Ask:

3. Where can I learn more about my diagnosis?- There is nothing wrong with doing your own research; in fact, I highly encourage it. The only caveat is that there is a lot of misinformation out online and it can be difficult to differentiate a reputable site from one that is inaccurate. Ask your provider for more information so you can safely look for information/understanding about your health and/or health condition.

4. What are all my treatment options?- It can be overwhelming to received unexpected health news; knowing your options can be a helpful place to start to make sure both you and your doctor are on the same page. It is also okay to take a moment; sometimes time is needed to process the information before a well-informed decision about how to move forward can be made.

5. What can I expect during my treatment?- While no one can predict what will happen with 100% certainty, it can offer you additional peace of mind to take the time to know what to expect during the course of your care. “Will I have more pain or less pain? Will I be able to walk again? Will my eyesight return? Will my blood sugars be controlled? Are there complications/side effects I should be aware of?” are a few of the many questions you can ask at any point during your care.

6. What are the indications for this treatment/procedure/intervention?- Remember that no matter how hurried a provider may appear to be, you (or a designated proxy) are responsible for consenting for anything to be done to and for you. You do not need to have a medical degree or even have an understanding of medical jargon to understand what treatment/procedure/intervention you will have. Ask for an explanation that makes sense to you; if it doesn’t make sense, ask someone who works with the doctor or nurse. You not understanding does not mean you are smart enough or capable. It just means that it wasn’t explained in a way that clicked for you; find someone who is able to do that for you so that you are aware and understand what is going on in your care as much as possible.

7. What are some lifestyle changes I can make to improve my overall health and well-being?- This point is particularly important because it re-enforces one of the points I attempted to make earlier. Be empowered. You are the expert of your own health and you have the power to make lifestyle changes in how you eat, exercise, sleep, manage stress, make time for community, and prioritize your mental/spiritual/emotions well-being to promote your health. You have what it takes; when you are ready to take those steps ask your doctor what resources are available to you to set you up on the road to success.

While this list is in no way exhaustive, it can offer you a start on how to be an active participant in your health. It can also further reduce the risk of errors, holds everyone on your team to an additional level of accountability, and gives you a say in your own medical care.

What are your thoughts? What are some questions you have shared with your doctor? What are ways you are an active participate in your health?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts…until next time. Take care.