At University Hospital, we encourage
our patients and their families to take an active role
in their healthcare decisions. You have the right to
ask questions and get the answers you need about your
diagnosis and treatment. You have the responsibility
to share important information with your healthcare
team and to alert the team about any concerns you may
have.
We’ve prepared this simple guide to help you
understand your role.
- Speak up if you have
questions or concerns. Choose a doctor
who you feel comfortable talking to about your health
and treatment. Take a relative or friend with you
if this will help you ask questions and understand
the answers. It's okay to ask questions and to expect
answers you can understand.
- Keep a list of all
the medicines you take. Tell your
doctor and pharmacist about the medicines that you
take, including over-the-counter medicines such as
aspirin, ibuprofen, and dietary supplements like vitamins
and herbals. Tell them about any drug allergies you
have. Ask the pharmacist about side effects and what
foods or other things to avoid while taking the medicine.
When you get your medicine, read the label, including
warnings. Make sure it is what your doctor ordered,
and you know how to use it. If the medicine looks
different than you expected, ask the pharmacist about
it.
- Make sure you get
the results of any tests or procedure.
Ask your doctor or nurse when and how you will get
the results of tests or procedures. If you do not
get them when expected - in person, on the phone,
or in the mail - don't assume the results are fine.
Call your doctor and ask for them. Ask what the results
mean for your care.
- Talk with your doctor
and health care team about your options if you need
hospital care. If you have more than
one hospital to choose from, ask your doctor which
one has the best care and results for your condition.
Also, before you leave the hospital, be sure to ask
about follow-up care, and be sure you understand the
instructions.
- Make sure you understand
what will happen if you need surgery.
Ask your doctor and surgeon: Who will take charge
of my care while I'm in the hospital? Exactly what
will you be doing? How long will it take? What will
happen after the surgery? How can I expect to feel
during recovery? Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist,
and nurses if you have allergies or have ever had
a bad reaction to anesthesia. Make sure you, your
doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what
will be done during the operation.
Source: Quality Interagency Coordination Task
Force, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ).
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