Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You Have a Serious Illness
For patients, families and caregivers
This information was developed by:
Helping individuals and families cope with serious illness.
We focus on providing individual and family counseling, support groups and community health services.
Our mission is to ensure that no one who is facing a serious illness will have to struggle alone.
These questions have been established to help patients, family members and caregivers understand, manage and share important health information related to serious illness diagnoses and treatments. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice.
What's Important to You?
1. How many cases like mine have you treated before?
2. Will I be included in treatment decision-making? Can I research my condition using the internet?
3. Do you have specific information you can provide to me to help with the decision-making? (hand-outs, other references, support groups?)
4. Who should I contact from your office with problems or questions or in case of an emergency?
5. What hospitals are you affiliated with in case of an emergency or for treatments?
6. How do you think this illness will affect me: short term (6-12 months) and long term (5 years)?
7. Can I get a second opinion? Will my insurance cover this treatment? A second opinion?
What’s Important for You to Know About Your Treatment
1. Will we be trying to cure or control my illness?
2. Are my treatments covered by my insurance? Can I get a second opinion? Will insurance pay?
3. Will my treatment be painful?
4. Will I have a person who I can call at your office in case I have questions? Hours of availability?
5. What complications should I be aware of or look for?
6. Will I be able to drive? What type of help will I need at home?
Can I work?
7. How long will it be before we can evaluate the results of my
treatment(s)?
Specific Disease States and Treatment Approach Information
Heart/Lung Disease
1. What can I do to prevent the need for hospitalization?
2. What community resources are available to help me stay out of the hospital?
3. How can I prevent complications from developing?
Implantable Cardioverter Defibillator: ICD Device
1. Do I have to go to the hospital? For how long?
2. What preparation is involved on my part prior to an ICD insertion?
3. Will I be able to drive? What type of help will I need at home? Can I work?
4. Does the battery have to be changed? How will I know if it’s working?
5. What does the “shock” feel like? Is it painful? How do I manage any pain I may feel?
6. What complications should I be aware of?
7. How does the ICD get turned off? When does it get turned off?
Surgery
1. What preparation is involved on my part prior to surgery?
2. Will I be able to drive? What type of help will I need at home? Can I work?
3. What complications should I be aware of?
Cancer
1. Can my cancer be cured? Can my cancer be controlled?
2. What are the chances that my cancer will come back/re-occur?
3. How will the treatments I receive work and affect my body?
4. Should I visit a dentist before I start my treatment?
Radiation
1. What is radiation treatment? Where do I go for treatment?
2. How long does each treatment take? How long will I be undergoing treatment?
3. Will I be able to drive? What type of help will I need at home? Can I work?
4. What side effects are there from radiation? What should I be watching for?
5. Are there any restrictions for me to be aware of during my radiation treatments?
6. How do we evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment?
7. What are the long term risks of radiation? (later on in life?)
8. Pain Management: Will my treatment be painful? How do I manage my pain?
Chemotherapy Treatment
1. What is chemotherapy? Where do I go for treatment?
2. How long does each treatment take? How long will I be receiving this type of chemo?
3. Are there side effects? What should I be watching for?
4. Can I drive? Can I work? Will I need help at home?
5. How will we know if it is working?
6. What is the success rate for this type of treatment for a patient with my specific diagnosis?
7. Pain Management: Will my treatment be painful? How do I manage my pain?
Clinical Trials
1. Am I a candidate for a clinical trial?
2. If so - who is the specialist and where are they located?
The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care Support Groups and Organizations
Life Transitions Center, The Mary & Ralph C. Wilson Counseling Center, 150 Bennett Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227 l Phone: (716) 836-6460 l Fax: (716) 836-1578 l www.lifetransitionscenter.com
Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd., Buffalo, NY 14227-1480
Phone: (716) 686-8077 l Fax: (716) 686-8101 l www.hospicebuffalo.com
Essential Care for Children, A program of Home Care Buffalo
Phone: (716) 686-8006 l Fax: (716) 686-8044 l http://www.essentialcare.org/
Caring Hearts Perinatal Program, (716) 359-8056 l http://www.hospicebuffalo.com/
|
