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Don&#39;t be afraid to go into the doctor&#39;s office armed with a list of things you are concerned about. Studies show that people often don&#39;t get all the information they want from their doctors. The findings appear in the Cochrane Library, which is published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.<br /><br />Researchers have looked at a number of ways to help patients ask the right questions. Going into a doctor&#39;s visit with a checklist, or even some pre-visit coaching, apparently helps patients ask the right questions to get the information they need, a research review suggests. The strategies used include making &quot;prompt sheets,&quot; watching videos and even participating in quick &quot;coaching&quot; sessions before an appointment to help patients polish their question-asking skills.<br /><br />The new review evaluated 33 studies that focused on methods to help patients get the information they wanted. Coaching and prompt sheets produced similar results in helping patients ask more questions. Coaching improved patient satisfaction, but resulted in a shorter consultation period. Overall, researchers said, the improvements were small, but statistically significant.<br /><br />If needed, they advise, bring a family member to the appointment. This can aid aid by adding a second person there to not only ask questions, but to remember the doctor&#39;s answers. At the least, thinking about a doctor&#39;s appointment in advance and writing down any concerns may well help patients get the care they need.Don't be afraid to go into the doctor's office armed with a list of things you are concerned about. Studies show that people often don't get all the information they want from their doctors. The findings appear in the Cochrane Library, which is published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

Researchers have looked at a number of ways to help patients ask the right questions. Going into a doctor's visit with a checklist, or even some pre-visit coaching, apparently helps patients ask the right questions to get the information they need, a research review suggests. The strategies used include making "prompt sheets," watching videos and even participating in quick "coaching" sessions before an appointment to help patients polish their question-asking skills.

The new review evaluated 33 studies that focused on methods to help patients get the information they wanted. Coaching and prompt sheets produced similar results in helping patients ask more questions. Coaching improved patient satisfaction, but resulted in a shorter consultation period. Overall, researchers said, the improvements were small, but statistically significant.

If needed, they advise, bring a family member to the appointment. This can can aid by adding a second person there to not only ask questions, but to remember the doctor's answers. At the least, thinking about a doctor's appointment in advance and writing down any concerns may well help patients get the care they need.