You may have some questions about health when you go to the doctor; here are some important ones you should ask at a checkup!
Your primary care provider shouldn’t be the only one asking questions during a medical appointment. Here’s the thing: Your doctor isn’t a mind reader. Asking questions about health that pop into your mind is key to ensuring effective communication with your doctor.
Visits with your provider give you the chance to express your concerns and ask questions. With time in your doctor’s office limited, it’s important to ask key questions that will help you get better health care. Without this, you won’t be receiving detailed answers to your diagnosis and questions. If you don’t ask, the doctor may presume that the information isn’t needed.
Since health issues start to mount as we age, it’s especially important to take charge of your well-being as a senior.
Instead of waiting for the doctor to bring a specific subject to the table that is essential to you, consider kick-starting the conversation. We’ve rounded up some of the most important questions about health you should ask your doctor during your next medical appointment.
Let’s get started!
1. What’s my diagnosis?
Sometimes doctors can skip over the actual diagnosis if patients come in because they are experiencing a medical issue. Seniors should ask their healthcare providers to explain their diagnosis in clear and simple terms. They may also want the doctor to write down the diagnosis so they can learn more about the condition later.
Obviously, you want to know the name the doctor is giving to your condition. However, according to experts, you should ask for more than that. Some of the questions about health you should come up with are: “Do you have any written information about my diagnosis?” “Can you give me any additional resources?” or “Do you have referrals for support groups or websites?”
Experts point out that most patients only remember 50% of what their doctors tell them, so getting some information on a piece of paper is helpful.
2. Should any changes be made to my medications?
Nearly 1 in 3 US seniors visit at least five doctors per year, and it’s the responsibility of their primary care providers to coordinate that care. Managing medications is a key part of that coordination. If you’ve been on medical treatment and another condition came along the way, one of the key questions about health to ask your primary care provider is whether the medication needs to be changed.
Review the list of medications you’re taking with your doctor, as well as the dosages of over-the-counter medications and supplements you take regularly. Our bodies can change, our health can improve, and sometimes you can experience new symptoms because you take medications you no longer need. That’s why these reviews are crucial.
3. Can you explain why you’re ordering this medication/treatment?
Next on the list of questions about health to ask your doctor is why you were prescribed a specific medication. In an era of increasing simple fixes and reliance on technology, some patients are being overtreated.
When you ask this question, you’re not being rude; you’re trying to understand if the medicine or treatment is really necessary. The questions about health you’ll want to ask are, “How is this going to ease my back ache?” or “How is this going to improve my cough?”
Also, you should ask if there’s any other way, without the medication you’re prescribed, that you can accomplish the same results. Such questions let your doctor know that you want your health care to be considered and thoughtful, not cookie-cutter prescription writing.
By the way, the best thing you can do is write down the questions about health you want to ask your doctor in a notebook (here’s one that’s perfect for that). Bring it with you whenever you have a medical appointment, and write down the information your doctor is giving you.
4. What are your thoughts on this?
This question should come after the statement that starts with, “I read this online…”. You should also ask your doctor whether the online source you’re quoting from is one that they consider a good source.
These questions about health open up the topic of Internet research and will help you better understand where to look to find the best online information for whatever condition you may need to look into in the future. It may also help you avoid the fear that can sometimes arise when you read information from less reliable sources.
Keep reading to discover other questions about health you should ask your doctor!
5. What are the potential side effects of medications?
If the doctor prescribes you new medications, you need to know what the potential side effects are and whether those medications will interact with drugs you’re already taking. If you’re already experiencing side effects, talk to your doctor so they can give you a different dosage or prescription.
Older adults often have a team of health care professionals prescribing drugs. Give each doctor your list to avoid unforeseen drug interactions. Check if any of the medications you’re taking can be eliminated and if the supplements and vitamins interfere with a drug’s effectiveness.
You should also ask if there are any foods that should be avoided while you’re taking that medication, such as grapefruit.
6. Is there anything concerning in my family health history?
Many diseases and chronic conditions are genetic. A genetic condition happens when you inherit a changed (or altered) gene from your parents, which makes you more likely to develop that particular condition.
One of the most important questions about health to ask your doctor is whether you’re at risk of having a certain disease or condition your parents experienced. By exploring family health history with your doctor, you can learn about particular preventive tests and measures that can help you avoid the same fate as your loved ones.
Also, don’t forget to mention any new illnesses that have been diagnosed recently within the family.
7. What should I do if there is a medical emergency?
Next on the list of questions about health you should ask your doctor is: What should I do if there’s a medical emergency? This is important, especially if you live with a disease or chronic condition. For example, you should know which hospital your doctor is associated with.
This is also a good time to ask the doctor whether they will be following your case if, for some reason, you’re hospitalized. If they won’t, who will follow you to the hospital, and how will your doctor receive that information?
Since it’s essential to ensure that medications and other treatments don’t cause dangerous interactions, you need one person at the helm of your care.
Don’t forget to also ask your doctor about emergency situations. It’s important to know that not all emergencies need hospital or emergency room care, and you and your doctor should discuss where you’ll go in a variety of situations.
8. When do you want to see me next?
The concept of annual physicals is in limbo, as different test recommendations have changed over the past few years. Pap smear recommendations have changed, mammogram recommendations have changed, and your insurance may not cover a physical exam every year.
However, if you’re someone who has diabetes, joint disease, hypertension, cancer, or other conditions, you do need to be seen more frequently by a specialist to address possible complications of these conditions and medication management.
This being said, one of the questions about health you should have on your list is about the plan going forward. That way, you know what to expect.
If you liked our article on questions about health you should ask your doctor, you may also want to read Seniors Beware: 9 Important Preventive Care Tests You MUST Get After 50.
