What Should I Be Asking At My Doctor Appointment?
Have you ever walked out of a doctor’s appointment and thought, “Oh crap, I forgot to ask about. . . ?” Or just felt overall confused about next steps? You are not alone. Let’s break down a list of things to ask at your visit so you don’t need to consult Dr. Google. (Please. . . don’t.)
What (if any) testing is being sent? It is easy to confuse a pap smear with a vaginitis panel with an STI test with a pelvic exam. . . yikes. You have the right to know exactly what is being tested for and why. I cannot count how many times patients have assumed a provider ran a test just because they completed an exam. If you don’t know where to start you can simply ask, “What testing or screenings should I be completing this year?”
How will you get your results and how quickly? Many offices will follow a “no news is good news” model, but wouldn’t it be nice to know everything is normal? Ask about how your provider’s office will contact you and if there are instructions for a Patient Portal. And for the love of God, please set up your voicemail (please, please, please).
When should I follow up? Maybe you are presenting to the office with a problem and should make a follow up appointment for imaging or further discussion about options. Maybe it’s your routine exam and you only HAVE TO come back in a year. Will they call or email with a reminder about your follow up? Or should you mark it on your calendar? If you forgot to ask what to do next it is okay. There is a “PLAN” section in every office visit note where staff could look to give you better direction.
What medication is being sent and do you have my pharmacy updated? Please don’t be the person who calls back a month later to ask about that prescription they never picked up because it was at the wrong pharmacy. You also deserve to know what medications are being prescribed so you can thoroughly discuss side effects, benefits, possible interactions, etc. There should not be any surprises when you go to the pharmacy.
One last thing. We are often taught in school to conduct a kind of back brief to insure patients know their plan. This consists of asking the patient to repeat the plan back to you and correcting any errors on the spot. While effective, many providers shy away from this method because they don’t want patients to feel awkward or embarrassed. It is okay if you don’t know all the medical mumbo-jumbo. We just care that you feel like you are an active participant in your health, and that all of your questions have been answered.
Now you’re armed with all you need to make your next visit a success. Good luck my friends!
