A series of amusing TV public service announcements for "Questions Are the Answer" from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) makes the point very well: in most business transactions we are curious and full of questions—except it seems in the doctor's office.
Why are we so timid? We are after all paying a fee for a service. Aren't our bodies more important than a cell phone contract or what we order in a restaurant? Whether our discomfort is caused by our fear of appearing uninformed, our fear of actually being informed, or our doctor's manner and/or body language, a lot of us seem to find it difficult to talk with our healthcare providers.
Well it's time that we, as Cher so memorably said, "Snap out of it!"
I've written before about the importance of asking questions (see 8/14/09 posting, Another Reason to Ask Your Doctor Questions) and so I won't repeat the basics here. Although one point is worth reinforcing: the ability to gather information, think about how the information pertains to your individual circumstances, and then using the information to evaluate your options and make decisions is fundamental to gaining greater control over your health and your life.
Because the circumstances of our health may change over time (think decision re treatment of a cold vs. a diagnosis of cancer) we all need a little help now and then. The AHRQ has an excellent feature on their site that will guide you through creating a list of questions for a variety of situations, e.g., a new medication or diagnosis, recommendation for a medical test or surgery, choosing a clinician, hospital, health plan, or long-term care. Once you've built your list, you can print a copy to take with you to your next doctor's appointment.
Remember, practice builds confidence. And when it comes to your own body, another favorite line from Moonstruck comes to mind, "You have such a head for knowing!"
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