The problem with this common oversight is that physicians can be hard to get a hold of -- whether it's at the office or after hours. It’s the day and age of mass medical care, and home visits are rare.
As a result, patients can go days without receiving answers to common questions. Unfortunately, in this process, basic follow-up care can be missed, and illnesses can get worse.
No matter the diagnosis, there are five basic questions to ask a healthcare provider after receiving it. Consider these questions “the fabulous five.” Write them down and keep them in a safe place. This will give you the best possible chance of dealing with any diagnosis in an aggressive manner.
What does this diagnosis mean?
You know those people who are so smart that they have no idea that you don’t understand half of what they’re saying? It’s no secret that doctors can give off this persona. They can be intimidating -- and they can be rushed. This makes you a number on a chart.
Consequently, patients can leave a physician’s office with complete confusion about their diagnoses. This means you need to plan to ask this question ahead of time. After all, you’re in charge of your own health. It’s your responsibility to clarify just what your diagnosis is -- and what it means.
To do this, you’ve got to be assertive. If you don’t understand what your doctor is trying to say, ask questions. And if he or she hits you with medical jargon that means nothing to the average person, be clear that you do not understand the definition behind those terms.
At the end of the day, it’s your health at stake. As crass as it sounds, your doctor works for you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. You deserve to understand just what you’re dealing with.
Do I need follow-up care?
Often, patients are so overwhelmed by a diagnosis that they forget to ask if they need follow-up care. The instructions to obtain follow-up care go can over right over a patient’s head because his or her mind is circling with confusion.
Do not leave your doctor’s office without asking what to do regarding follow-up care. And if your medical care requires a visit to another doctor, ask for a referral. Most physician’s offices will even make this appointment for you. Don’t be bashful in asking your doctor’s office to meet your expectations.
How do I manage my symptoms?
While many patients receive a diagnosis out of the clear blue, this is often not the case. Chances are you went to see a doctor because you were having symptoms associated with something you didn’t understand.
That said, there are many things that you can do to manage symptoms. Sometimes, you just have to ask. In other words, the ball may be in your court.
If you have a cough and your doctor has not prescribed an adequate cough suppressant, ask for something else to manage symptoms. And if your physician feels that medication is not appropriate, don’t be afraid to ask why.
Ask your doctor who you should call if your symptoms worsen after hours. Would he or she prefer that you visit a local emergency room for late-night care? If so, which one? Or does the practice that your doctor is associated with have an on-call doctor who takes after hours calls? These are all questions for which you need answers.
And if your symptoms do not go away, don’t just brush this off. Make an appointment to go back. And if they’re booked, ask for an appointment with a different doctor who can get you in more quickly. It’s your health -- and you deserve the best possible medical care.
What now?
Lots of patients leave medical practices with no clue as to what to do next. Sometimes, this is a result of swamped practices that rotate quickly between patients. This leaves patients with little time to ask questions. But often, this is a result of a patient being overwhelmed and tuning out a doctor’s order as to how to proceed once a diagnosis is made.
To avoid the frustration of trying to get a hold of your doctor once you leave, there are several things that you can do to learn what to do next. The first is to make a list of questions BEFORE your appointment.
Sit down and write down all of the questions that you have for your doc. If you need to, research questions on the Internet. And if you have no clue what your diagnosis may turn out to be, write down all of the symptoms that you experience so that you won’t forget them once the time for your appointment comes.
Next, make it a point to develop a relationship with your nurse the moment you visit your doctor’s practice. Nurses are trained listeners. So if you do have questions after the doctor has left, he or she can help to address those concerns.
Finally, be clear with your doctor in terms of what to do next. Ask questions like:
· How long can I expect this illness to last?
· How long will I experience symptoms?
· Is this dangerous?
· And can I give this to my family members?
Am I infectious?
Though this question may sound silly, it’s important. Obviously, you won’t ask this question in the case of a diagnosis like cancer or diabetes. However, there are many illnesses that can be transmitted when you least expect it.
Take, for example, the story of Angela Milton. Angela was diagnosed with shingles. Luckily, her doctor told her to isolate herself from her then-young daughter to avoid giving her chicken pox. That’s because, though someone with shingles has had chicken pox, they can pass the chicken pox virus on to others who have not had it. This means a patient with this condition needs to be isolated.
So be clear in asking this question -- even if you just have a common cold. And if you are infectious, find out what precautions need to be taken to avoid passing your illness on to others. Your loved ones, fellow students and coworkers will thank you for being so considerate.