The questions your doctor would like you to ask to enable you to get the very best care.

The questions here are those suggested by practicing physicians with many years of experience.  These questions involve mental health, psychiatry, as well as medical issues.

Studies over the years have demonstrated that patients want more information about health care, in particular, as related to them or their loved ones. Often, patients who come to the physicians’ office are already in a passive state of mind. They do not take part in making the medical diagnosis and usually do not enter into the decision-making process as to diagnostic testing, a treatment plan and alternatives. Evidence continues to grow that patients who are not involved in medical care and who are uninformed do not follow the treatment plan well and, in general, do not do as well.

Some physicians believe that they are the ones to make all decisions and assume that either the patient or the family does not need to know anything more than what he/she tells them. This type of physician does not take into consideration that the patient may have different goals or issues. There are other physicians who attempt to convey the diagnosis, treatment plan and need for additional tests, but the patient may not hear what is said or know what additional questions to ask. This holds true even if the physician asks whether there are any questions.