Picture this: you’re in the doctor’s office. The doctor has just explained your diagnosis and the next steps in your treatment. You listen closely, and when they ask if you have any questions, you say, “No, I’m good.” Sound familiar?
This happens all the time—but asking questions is truly essential when it comes to your health.
Why Asking Questions Matters
Whether you’re meeting with a doctor, a nurse, or a nutritionist, speaking up and asking questions is key for several reasons:
Gaining Clarity: Health information can be complicated. Asking questions helps make sure you really understand what’s being said.
Making Informed Choices: The more you know about your health, the better decisions you can make about your care.
Strengthening Communication: Asking questions leads to better conversations with your healthcare provider—and builds trust.
Have you ever heard of “Teach Back”?
It’s an easy way to make sure you really understood the information.
Here’s how it works: after your healthcare provider explains something, they ask you to repeat, in your own words, what you learned.
This double-checks that you’ve got it right—and it gives you a chance to clear up anything that wasn’t clear.
But what if your provider doesn’t ask you to repeat back what you heard?
Now that you know how helpful “teach back” is, you can take the lead! Let your provider know you’d like to repeat back the information, just to be sure you’ve got it.
Simple Tips for Asking Questions
Plan Ahead: Before your appointment, jot down a list of questions or concerns you want to discuss.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Again: If something isn’t making sense, ask your provider to explain it another way.
Take Notes: Writing down the important points helps you remember the details and gives you a starting place for questions during your next visit.
Remember: Your health is one of your most valuable possessions. Making sure you truly understand the information you receive is key to taking good care of yourself.
Nodding along or saying you understand isn’t enough—asking questions and confirming what you’ve heard is the best way to ensure quality healthcare.
“Teach back” is a powerful tool.
Use it to get the most out of every appointment. There’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your health. Sometimes, just asking a question can make all the difference. So, at your next appointment, speak up, participate, and play an active role in your care.
Put simply, this is how we improve our health literacy.
Let’s keep that in mind: health starts with understanding.
Leave a Reply