It is important to have an active role and be informed about the tests you will undergo, but also the treatment you will receive.
Below, find some questions you can ask your doctor.
About your symptoms or diagnosis
• What is the disease that I suffer from?
How serious is this disease and how can it affect my daily life?
• What caused this disease?
• What symptoms can it cause?
• What tests should I undergo and what might the results show?
When will I know the results of my tests?
• Will you need to monitor me and, if so, how often will I have to visit you? Should I take precautions for myself or those around me?
• How can we treat my condition?
About your treatment
• What are the options for treating my condition?
• How long will the treatment take?
• What is the cost of treatment?
• What is the best treatment to treat my condition?
• What side effects might I have?
Is there anything I should avoid during my treatment?
• What can I do if I have side effects?
• Will my work or lifestyle be affected?
• What is the prognosis of my condition?
If you need surgery
• How will surgery help my condition?
• Are there alternatives?
• How much will the surgery cost?
• What are the benefits of the operation?
• What are the risks of the operation?
• What kind of anesthesia will I need?
• How long will I get back to my normal activities?
• What is the success rate of this operation?
• How many such operations have you performed in the past?
How long will I need to stay in the clinic?