Did you just set up an appointment with your family doctor? If you haven’t visited your family doctor in a while, it can be tough to know what exact questions to ask.
Here are some of the important questions to ask your family doctor – whether you’re just getting a routine checkup or have a specific health concern.
Questions About Diagnostics and Treatment
- What is the nature of my illness or disease? How will it affect me?
- Why do you recommend the laboratory test or medical imaging test? What can they tell me about my condition, and are there any risks associated with it?
- What could have caused my illness or disease? What are the risk factors that I should have been aware of?
- How can I prevent this illness or disease from recurring or getting worse? Is the problem acute or chronic?
- Is there a cure for my condition?
- What are the available treatments for my illness or disease? What possible side effects do I need to anticipate? What results can I expect from the treatment?
- Do I need to see a specialist?
- How long will I be on this treatment or medication? How do I know I’m getting better or getting worse?
- What will happen if I choose to delay or skip surgery altogether? Will my condition get worse or is there a nonsurgical alternative, which can improve my condition and delay surgery?
- What complications are associated with the procedure?
- Will the prescribed medication interact with any other medications or supplements I’m taking? (You should bring the list of all medications and supplements you are taking to your appointment.)
- How soon or how often do you recommend I have a follow-up checkup?
Questions About Preventive Care and Maintenance
- What screenings or tests do you recommend for someone my age/gender/risk factors?
- What strategies can I employ to lower my risk for diabetes, hypertension, and other preventable chronic conditions?
- What are your office hours, and how do I contact you after hours in case of an emergency?
Family Doctor in The Bronx, NY
If you are in search of a primary care provider for your entire family in The Bronx area in New York, visit us here at Starling Diagnostics. We have a family nurse practitioner on staff who is equally qualified and capable of helping you and the rest of the members of your family achieve the best possible health outcomes.
To learn more about our primary care services or to schedule an appointment, call our clinic today at (718) 319-1610 or use our convenient online request form.
