Questions to Ask Your Doctor
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According to the data reports offered by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, based on information compiled in 2006, the average time spent with a doctor in the U.S. during an office visit is 22 minutes. Arriving prepared can help ensure you have all of your questions answered, and it will help enable you to feel reassured upon leaving your appointment.
You have the right to understand a particular illness and question the doctor on anything you don't understand. It's also helpful to jot down notes on what the doctor says, particularly information about prescription dosing, so that you can review the information when you return home and are in a setting with fewer distractions.
Use these questions as a guideline for talking with your doctor.
For a particular condition:
* What is wrong with me?
* What causes this type of problem?
* Is this condition serious?
* Is this condition contagious? Should I worry about giving it to others?
* Are there any activities, foods or medicines I should avoid while I have this condition?
* How canI prevent this from happening again?
* What type of treatment do you recommend?
If testing is recommended:
* What is this test and why is it needed?
* How long will the test take?
* Is it painful?
* Do you perform this test in the office or do I nedd to go to a lab?
* Are there any risks involved?
* How do I prepare for this test? Are there any foods or activities I should avoid?
* What side effects should I look for, if any?
* How long does it take to receive the results?
When given a prescription:
* What does this medicine do and why is it being prescribed?
* What are the side effects?
* What happens if I do not take this medicine?
* How long do I need to take this medicine?
* Should it be taken with or without food?
* What do I do if I miss a dose?
* If I don't experience any improvement, how long after taking this medication should I call you?
* Are there any foods, beverages or other medications I should avoid while taking this medicine?
* Are there any alternatives to medication?