Guest Author - A. Maria Hester, M.D.
The following are examples of general questions physicians frequently ask during acute care visits (appointments made for new illnesses, such as a cold or stomach pain). Not all questions will be relevant to every illness, but think about the ones that are pertinent to your current problem, and formulate a basic answer in your mind prior to going to your appointment. Beneath each question is a concise, specific sample answer to get you thinking the way many doctors do.
• Why did you make the appointment?
o “I need a refill on my insulin prescription.”
• When did your problem first begin? Be as specific as possible.
o “Last Monday when I was bowling.”
• When, if ever, did you have a similar problem?
o “Approximately two years ago.”
• What were you doing when you first noticed the problem?
o “I noticed it a few hours after I moved the sofa.”
• What is the chronological sequence of the problem?
o “The cough started two days ago, but I just developed a chest pain today.”
• What is the severity of the problem, and how does it impact your routine activities?
o “The pain is so severe I cannot sleep at night.”
• What is the character of the pain (e.g., sharp, dull, pressure-like)?
o “The pain in my chest feels like someone is squeezing me.”
• What other symptoms started around the same time as the main problem?
o “I have also experienced nausea with the postnasal drip.”
• What have you tried to get relief, and how much did it help?
o “I took two aspirin, and within thirty minutes my headache was completely gone.”
• What makes your problem better or worse?
o “Spicy food makes my stomach pain worse.”
• What tests were run in the past for this problem, and what were the results?
o “I had an x-ray of my chest, which the doctor said was completely normal.”
• Where does it hurt?
o “My pain is only in the lower right abdominal region.”
• Where does the pain move, if any place?
o “The pain frequently radiates to my left arm.”
• Who around you has had similar symptoms, if anyone?
o “Two co-workers called out sick this week due to similar symptoms.”
• Whom did you see in the past for this problem?
o “Dr. Joe Cole, a family physician in the Pearson Medical Group in Silver Spring, MD.”
