The Top Five Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor

Searching for content to use in your employee newsletter? Here’s a ready-made article for you to use to help your employees be better health care consumers in five simple steps.

Dom Lorusso, director of health partnerships at Consumer Reports, was asked during his presentation at our The Alliance Annual Meeting, “What’s your number one recommendation?” Lorusso responded, “Start with the 5 questions, which are key for employers and employees. It’s simple and engaging.”

Use this quick infographic in your employee newsletter, intranet, or at the very least, post it in the break room.

The “Five Questions” You Should Ask Your Doctor

There are five questions that you should ask your doctor before you get any test, treatment, or procedure.

It can be stressful or surprising when your doctor recommends that you have a medical test, treatment or procedure. Having the Five Questions within easy reach means that you’ll be ready to ask the questions necessary to know what your options, risks, and outcomes might be.

Do I really need this test or procedure?

Medical tests help you and your doctor or other health provider decide how to treat a problem. And medical
procedures help to actually treat it.

What are the risks?

Will there be side effects? What are the chances of getting results that aren’t accurate? Could that lead to more testing or another procedure?

Are there simpler, safer options?

Sometimes all you need to do is make lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier food or exercising more.

What happens if I don’t do anything?

Ask if your condition might get worse—or better—if you don’t have the test or procedure right away.

How much does it cost?

Ask if there are less-expensive tests, treatments or procedures, what your insurance may cover, and about generic drugs instead of
brand-name drugs.

Help your employees be ready for their next doctor’s appointment by providing them access to the 5 Questions in the form of a wallet-sized card, or a flyer they can keep.

Have you had a How to Be a Better Health Care Consumer presentation for your workforce? If not, consider scheduling one by contacting member services.