The Questions Are the Answer

The first step in taking an active role in healthcare is to ask questions of the doctor.

The Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has provided a top notch web page to guide us all in improving the healthcare we receive by being involved, interactive and asking questions.

They list the ten primary questions as:

1. What is the test for?
2. How many times have you done this?
3. When will I get the results?
4. Why do I need this surgery?
5. Are there any alternatives to surgery?
6. What are the possible complications?
7. Which hospital is best for my needs? (and why)
8. How do you spell the name of that drug? (or medical term)
9. Are there any side effects?
10. Will this medicine interact with medicines that I'm already taking?

They continue why nine more lists of questions pertinent to specific situations such as when considering surgery, picking a hospital, etc.

To learn more about these excellent tools you can go to their site by clicking here.