Tips and resources to ensure safer healthcare and better health outcomes

Did you know that many people ask more questions when purchasing a cell phone than when visiting their doctors? That is pretty scary!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is launching a new initiative with the Ad Council to encourage clinicians and patients to engage in effective two-way communication to ensure safer care and better health outcomes.

Check out some valuable tips and tools at the AHRQ website that truly delve into the importance of very open communication between clinicians and their patients. For starters, here are 10 Questions you can print out and take with you to your next doctor visit to remind you of some questions you can ask!

The 10 Questions You Should Know

A simple question can help you feel better, let you take better care of yourself, or save your life. The questions below can get you started.

What is the test for?
How many times have you done this procedure?
When will I get the results?
Why do I need this treatment?
Are there any alternatives?
What are the possible complications?
Which hospital is best for my needs?
How do you spell the name of that drug?
Are there any side effects?
Will this medicine interact with medicines that I'm already taking?

Listen to Laurri Diener, mother of 3 children, talk about how better communication with her doctor helped her to get the right diagnosis and treatment so that she could sleep more and worry less: