5 questions to ask your doctor (before you get any test or treatment)
The National Prescribing Service (NPS) has made an interesting list of 5 questions patients should ask their doctors. The aim is to be well informed about the benefits and potential harm before you undergo medical tests, treatments, and procedures.
I think the list is useful and I’d encourage people to ask these questions. At the same time I suspect I will not be able to answer all the questions. For example, I don’t know the costs of all available tests, and the exact risks of certain interventions is something I may have to look up.
I have been told NPS is planning to develop resources for doctors so they can better help their patients with these queries. This would indeed be helpful. But in the meantime, feel free to ask! I hope it will lead to less unnecessary interventions.
Choosing wisely
So here they are, the 5 questions to ask your doctor before you get any test, treatment, or procedure:
Source: Choosing Wisely Australia
Reblogged this on partridgegp and commented:
It’s your health, your body, and your decision. Never feel you don’t have the final say!
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for the pain group that I facilitate we give them a brochure that basically gives the consumer guidance as to what quetsions to ask . As their pain is the primary focus they often forget or do not have time to ask the questions that need to be asked
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Today, I am going to the doctor’s for the first time in a little over a year, because I am sick. However, I am really glad that I came across these five questions, because I never know what questions I should be asking whenever the doctor wants me to have a test done. I especially like the fourth question about asking about whether or not the condition could get better or worse, because that is a question that I never ask but will certainly make sure to do. http://www.shentonavemedical.com.au
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I appreciate the tips on what questions to ask a doctor. I think it is super important to ask your doctor what the possible risks are of doing a procedure or the side effects of a pill, sometimes we only think about one side of the outcomes and not the others. It’s a good idea to consult your doctor in everything you do that could affect your health.
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