Free Resource from Jackie Shore RN
You just received difficult news. Before your next appointment, arm yourself with these questions — so you leave with answers, not more confusion.
You have the right to understand your own health. These questions work for any serious diagnosis — cancer, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, or any health crisis where you need to make important decisions. Bring this list to your appointment. Take notes. Ask a trusted person to come with you if you can.
The 10 Questions
What exactly do I have?
What is the diagnosis? How serious is it? Has it affected anything else in my body?
What treatment are you recommending, and why?
What is the goal of this treatment — to cure, to control, or to manage symptoms?
What are ALL of my options?
Are there other treatments I should consider? Is waiting or doing something different ever an option?
How much will this treatment actually help me?
Can you explain the expected benefit in simple numbers I can understand?
What are the possible side effects?
Which are common? Which could be serious or long-lasting? What can we do to manage them?
Do I need more testing before I decide?
Are there genetic, biomarker, or other tests that could help us choose the best treatment for my specific situation?
Should I get a second opinion?
Is there a specialist or medical center that sees a lot of people with my condition?
How much time do I have to make my decision?
Do I need to start right away, or do I have time to learn more, get another opinion, and think through my choices?
What can I do to stay as strong and healthy as possible?
What should I know about food, hydration, exercise, sleep, supplements, and other things I can do to support my health?
How will we know if the treatment is working?
What tests, scans, or other measures will you follow? When will we know whether the plan is working?
You can always say:
Before you leave your appointment, ask for copies of your pathology report, scan results, blood work, treatment plan, and any other important records. You have the right to your own medical records — and having them gives you the ability to get a second opinion or share them with another provider.