Three Questions to Ask the Doctor in Your First Visit

Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds of patients in the hospital suffering from various illnesses. When they see me, some seniors usually bring a bagful of medications. Yes, a grocery bag full of prescription bottles.

I’m surprised though that most patients don’t know why they are on medications especially that some even take at least 15 yellow, red, pink, and blue tablets. No wonder, some can’t even remember their spouses’ names.

Sure, it’s cumbersome keeping track of chores, how much more trying to remember this entire treatment regimen. If I were in their shoes, I’d be confused as well and perhaps forget my mother-in-law’s name.

What are the three questions you need to ask the doctor in your first visit?

First Question: What’s my illness?

Before you agree to a treatment, you need to know your illness or your diagnosis. Ask your doctor what’s going on. Don’t hesitate to ask hard questions such as:

Why I can’t breathe?

Why I easily get tired?

Why do I have headache all the time?

Why do I worry every day?

Why am I down?

After your doctor tells you the diagnosis, ask for possible causes. Is your tiredness and fatigue due to heart or chest problem? Is it because of depression? If the doctor tells you that you have “chemical imbalance,” ask him or her what the specific illness is and what it means to suffer from it.

Second Question: What is the treatment?

Once you know the illness, ask for major treatment choices and the benefits and risks of each choice. What’s the advantage of one expensive treatment over the other cheaper alternative? Don’t hesitate to know the indications of the proposed treatment options and their side effect profiles.

Also, know the consequences of not taking any medication. What’s the disease’s course with or without treatment?

After you’ve chosen the treatment you feel is right for you, then ask for the details. Know a detailed list of side effects and benefits and risks. Know the drug’s mechanism of action. Ask when you expect some improvement, about intake schedule, and duration of treatment.

Third Question: While treatment is ongoing, what other things should I do to get well?

Ask your doctor what food, activities, and exercises are allowed or should be avoided. If you’re on antihypertension pill, how much salt can you add to your meal? Should you start avoiding fatty foods as well?

Know when you can restart your hobbies such as carpentry project or when you can return to work. If taking a sedative, what precautions you should know. Will it affect your driving or the use of mechanized equipment such as a mower or a snow blower? Should you be careful standing up after sitting or lying down for a while?

Ask your doctor if your illness can be passed on to another person through conversation or handshake. Should you be isolated from family members and friends for a few days to avoid contaminating them?

As a patient, you should be responsible for your treatment and recovery. This only means that you should know as much as possible about the illness, the treatment, and precautionary and preventive measures.