3 Questions to Always Ask Your Doctor or Healthcare Provider

Asking your doctor, or other healthcare providers, these 3 questions will affect your understanding of the problem, how it is treated, and what you can do at home to stay healthy.  A 2018 survey of primary care doctors found most doctors report that they spend an average of 13 to 24 minutes with each patient. 

During that time, your doctor may use unfamiliar words, give a lot of information, and speak fast.  You may also be feeling stressed, anxious, tired, and overwhelmed. And let’s be honest, sometimes we are embarrassed to ask questions.     

Ask Me 3

Ask Me 3 is a program that aims to empower patients and their families to ask their healthcare provider 3 questions to better understand their health conditions and what they need to do to stay healthy. Waiting in an examination room wearing a paper dress (or a robe with a flap in the back) and feeling anxious is not the best time to think of questions to ask.  So, you must see yourself as part of your healthcare team and be ready to always ask these 3 important questions for yourself or your loved ones.

I list the 3 important questions below, and I use diabetes as the example.

Question 1: What is My Main Problem?

Your main problem is type 2 diabetes.  When you have type 2 diabetes, the body does not properly process the food you eat to give you energy.  Most of the food you eat is turned into glucose, or sugar.  The body then uses this sugar for energy.  Your body produces a hormone called insulin to help the sugar go into your cells.  Your body is not using the insulin as well as it should, so your blood sugar is high.

Question 2: What Do I Need to Do?

What you need to do are in this packet of information, which the nurse will go over with you in detail.  But, the main things I need you to do over the next 3 months are:

• Check your blood sugar daily
• Try to lose about 10 pounds
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day
• Follow the eating plan I give you
• Take your medication daily

When you come back in 3 months, we will go over how well you’ve done and adjust the plan as needed.

Question 3: Why Is It Important for Me to Do This?

Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease. Many amputations are also due to diabetes.  If you follow this treatment plan and do well, we may be able to manage your diabetes with a healthy diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle measures.

Now, It’s Your Turn

Asking these 3 questions can empower you to understand your health issues and take care of your health.  I advocate for my elderly parents and ask these questions when I go with them to the doctor.  I have the questions in my phone, but you can write them on a note card and carry it with you.  My 91-year old mother also carries a card with the questions and she shows it to her doctor.   You can also use these questions with other healthcare providers such as:

• Pharmacist
• Chiropractor
• Dentist
• Physical therapist
• Dietitian
• Psychologist  

We look forward to hearing about your experience in the comment section of this blog. Or you can join the conversation on the Keep It Tight Sisters Facebook Group.

Keep It Tight Sisters.

Eat. Move. Breathe.