27 Questions to Ask Your Doctor (And When to Ask Them)

You will not have time to ask everything, and you do not need to. Below are 27 questions grouped by the kind of visit you are having. Pick the three or four that matter most today, write them down, and bring the list. A printable appointment checklist has room for them.

The three that matter at every visit

These come from Ask Me 3, a program of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.^[1] If you ask nothing else, ask these.

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

The answers are worth writing down, because memory for what is said in a visit is poor:

Seeing a new doctor

1. How do you prefer I contact you between visits, and how quickly is a message usually answered?
2. Who do I see or call if I need care when you are not available?
3. Can you look at the records I’ve brought, or should I have them sent?
4. Is there anything in my history you would like to look at more closely?

Bringing in a new symptom

1. What could be causing this, and what are you most concerned about?
2. Do I need any tests, and what will they tell us?
3. What can I do in the meantime, and what should I avoid?
4. What would mean I should come back sooner, or go to urgent care or the emergency room?

After a new diagnosis

1. Can you write down the name of the condition, and where can I read about it from a reliable source?
2. What are my options for treatment, including waiting and watching?
3. How will this affect my daily life, work or exercise?
4. Should I see a specialist, and would a second opinion be reasonable?

Starting a new medicine

Several of these come from AHRQ’s list of ten questions every patient should know.

1. How do you spell the name of the medicine, and what is it for?
2. Are there any side effects, and which ones should I call you about?
3. Will this interact with the medicines and supplements I already take?
4. How long until it should help, and how will we know it is working?

Having a test

1. What is the test for, and what will you do differently depending on the result?
2. How do I prepare, and how will it feel?
3. When will I get the results, and who will explain them to me?

More questions for when results come back are in what to ask your doctor about your test results.

Being referred or having a procedure

1. Why do I need this, and are there any alternatives?
2. What are the possible complications?
3. How many times have you done this procedure?
4. What does recovery look like, and when can I get back to normal activities?
5. Who do I call if something feels wrong afterwards?

Getting a useful answer

Ask your most important question first. If an answer uses a word you don’t know, say so; if it still isn’t clear, ask for it to be explained another way or written down. AHRQ’s advice is to ask questions to make sure you understand, and to let your doctor know if you are worried about being able to follow the instructions.^[4] Before you leave, repeat the plan back in your own words. And if you run out of time, ask how to get the remaining questions answered — a portal message, a call from a nurse, or a follow-up visit. The appointment preparation guide covers the rest of the visit.