Seeing a doctor can be a scary thing; whether you have genuine anxiety over booking a doctor’s appointment, or you just hate walking into the doctor’s office/hospital, you can get very uncomfortable just at the thought of having to see a healthcare specialist. And when you’re feeling so overwhelmed and a bit fearful like this, it can be hard to remember how to communicate with the doctor you’re seeing.
And that’s why this post is here; sometimes all you need is a bit of a reminder about what to ask to get the care you need! So without further ado, here are the kind of questions to keep in mind.
Ask About Tests and the Diagnosis
The first thing to ask about is what’s going to happen in the appointment itself. You made the booking off of your own back, and you need to take that same head of control into the consultation itself. Initial questions like these will really help you to keep your head.
So ask why a test needs to be performed, ask what’s involved in it, and how such a test is going to help the doctor evaluate your needs from this point onwards. And if you’re unsure about a test, or a diagnosis you’ve been given in the past, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion either. You’re allowed to seek out help from other doctors, and be sure to ask the same questions of the appointment process with them as well.
Ask About Treatment Types
Once you’ve explained your symptoms to a doctor, or you’ve been through a test and the results have come back, it’s time to talk about treatments and/or medications. Of course, a doctor is going to have one they’ll immediately be able to recommend, but you don’t have to simply accept this, especially if you’re nervous about what it involves.
Which is where you need to ask about what’s involved, how strict the regimen is, and whether or not there are alternative treatments or medications you can be put on. For example, if you’re with an audiologist and you’re not sure about the one hearing aid type you’ve been offered, you’re perfectly allowed to ask about other types that would also be suitable. The doctor is here to serve you, after all.
When Will Results Be Ready/What Happens Next?
Near the end of your appointment, be sure to ask about what’s going to happen next, or if they’re waiting on results of a test, ask about when these results will be ready. Ask whether or not you’ll need to see someone else, and what the rest of your healthcare process is going to look from this initial point. You need to know what to expect, to keep any anxiety levels down, and you deserve to know as much as possible from the get go. Remember that!
When seeing a doctor, always have as many questions for them as they do for you.
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