Get the Most out of Your Oncology Appointments

During visits to your healthcare provider do you struggle with what questions to ask? As a patient, you are entitled to ask your healthcare provider questions, specifically if you do not understand or need further explanation. 

Some questions may help you get more out of your visits with your healthcare provider than others. This advice comes from KevinMD.com, a medical oncologist and a cancer survivor. Dr. Kevin Pho tells his patients to come to their appointments prepared with a list of questions, and offers the following advice: "before asking questions, patients should ask if it is the best time to ask questions, and if not, ask when would be a better time. Physicians appreciate this question."

When asking questions, here are some useful tips:

• If you do not understand something, say so. Also, do not nod your head if you do not understand. If you keep nodding, your physician will assume that you understand and will continue speaking.

• Physicians have a tendency of using professional jargon, although most try not to. Ask your physician to use simpler words. 

• It is important to restate what your physician has explained to you to confirm that you understand. This will reinstate that you fully understand what your physician has told you. This is a good thing to do at the end of every visit.

If you are struggling with what questions you should ask, consider the following:

• Can you write down the next steps in the plan?
• Why are we doing these tests?
• Why am I receiving this treatment?
• What are the side effects of this medication?
• How effective is the treatment?
• Please explain how the treatment will help
• Why do you think this is the best treatment for me?

Dr. Kevin Pho reminds all patients that questions are one of the primary resources that you have to enhance your quality of care and treatment and protect yourself from poor care.

Click here to read the full article and learn more about KevinMD.com.