Senior News Line:Getting answers from doctor

The interactions seniors have with their doctors is the subject of three recent studies, with the focus on encouraging patients to ask more questions.

In the studies, some patients were coached far in advance of the doctor visit about what questions to ask. This didn’t result in much change during the actual visits, however. Other patients were given pamphlets and coached right before the visit. This encouraged patients to ask more and better questions; therefore they got more out of the visit.

Our time with our doctors is limited, but we can prepare in advance to get the most out of the time we have.

Write down your questions ahead of time and makes notes when you get each answer. If you don’t understand an answer, ask for clarification. Rule of thumb: In the doctor’s office, there’s no such thing as a stupid question. If you have a question, ask it. If you have a concern, voice it.

Here are some specific questions you might need to ask:

“ What could be causing my problem?

“ What tests can be given to find out?

“ What are my treatment options?

“ Are there any risks?

“ Will any of my current medications conflict with new medications?

“ What are the side effects?

“ Do I need to be screened for any chronic diseases?

Make notes, too, about the things you need to tell your doctor so he or she has the full picture. Be sure to mention any extra stresses in your life, because sometimes those can cause physical symptoms.

In one study, it was determined that a patient could talk for about 30 seconds before the doctor interrupted. Don’t let that happen to you. You need to have your questions answered.