Waiting Room Video: Questions Are the Answer

Taking an Active Role in Your Healthcare

Patients can help shape their care by asking questions and communicating clearly with clinicians. You may feel nervous, worry about taking up too much time, or assume you shouldn’t question a doctor. But speaking up can help uncover concerns, prevent medication mix-ups, and make care plans easier to follow.

Practical Strategies

• Prepare before the appointment: Write down your questions and concerns. If you have several, mark the ones that matter most so they can be covered first.
• Ask about anything unclear: Ask what a medication is for, how much to take, whether it could interact with another medication, or what other options are available.
• Share your research and concerns: Tell your clinician what you’ve read or what is worrying you, and ask how it applies to your situation.
• Check that you understand: Ask for an explanation in plain language. Restate what you heard to confirm your understanding.
• Prioritize if time is limited: Focus on the most important questions and arrange to address the rest later.
• Treat healthcare as a partnership: Patients and clinicians each bring important knowledge. Clear, two-way communication supports better care.
• Advocate for yourself: It is appropriate to ask questions and participate in decisions about your health.

Presenters and Sources

Unnamed patients and clinicians; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).