How to Ask Health Questions
- 1). Ask open-ended questions. Unless necessary, avoid yes-and-no and other closed-ended questions. Answers to open-ended questions tend to be longer, comprehensive and descriptive. Hence, your doctor's response will help you better understand your condition and the treatment options. The National Patient Safety Foundation recommends asking health questions, such as "What do I need to do?" and "Why is it important for me to do this?"
- 2). Provide background information. Tell your doctor about your medical history, medications, allergies and symptoms. If he is a new doctor, get copies of relevant medical records from your previous doctor. The more background information your new doctor has, the more likely he is to make an accurate diagnosis.
- 3). Be as precise as possible when describing your symptoms. Use anatomical vocabulary, such as shin, jaw, or pelvis, to describe exactly where your problem exists. Instead of vague phrases, such as "a long time" or "not that long," use numerical periods, such as three days or one month, to describe how long your symptoms have persisted. Describe any colors and sounds associated with your symptoms.
- 4). Ask follow-up questions. If you do not understand an answer or desire more information, ask a follow-up question. Follow-up questions demonstrate that you are an active participator and listener, and good listening skills are needed to build strong doctor-patient relationships.
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