Doctors Recommend These Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to Treatment

Before many medical procedures, from anesthesia to participating in medical trials, patients are required to sign that the procedure has been explained to them, its risks are clear, and they agree to it nonetheless. This consent form, say Dr. Michael Skars and Dr. Timothy Gilligan from the Cleveland Clinic, one of the most renowned medical centers in America, is a complete joke. Patients sign any form the doctor gives them, but they have no real idea of the pros and cons of the proposed treatment or if it is even necessary. Doctors, on their part, are too busy to provide explanations to those who don't ask for them.

In an article published by the two doctors in the New York Times, they recommend every patient take the following measures to ensure they do not automatically sign consent but actually understand what it is about:

1. Ask the doctor to use clear language, not professional jargon. If the doctor starts using professional terms you don't understand, don’t hesitate to say you don’t understand and ask for clarification.

2. After the doctor finishes their explanation, summarize briefly in their presence what they said, to ensure you understood. "So the yellow pills should be taken only on an empty stomach, but never on days when I'm supposed to undergo treatment?" This will give the doctor a chance to correct potentially critical errors.

3. Request written materials, or even pictures and videos. If you want to learn more about the doctor’s recommendations, don't hesitate to ask for additional materials you can review at home before making a decision.

4. Ask for the best-case scenario, worst-case scenario, and most likely scenario. What is the worst thing that could happen from this treatment? What is the best thing that could happen? And finally – what usually happens as a result of this treatment?

5. Ask to speak with someone who has undergone this treatment. Whether it's surgery or, heaven forbid, chemotherapy, a patient who has experienced it can explain the matter to you better than a doctor can.

6. Always inquire about alternative treatment options. Even if the recommended treatment is the doctor’s preference, what other treatment options are available? Don’t hesitate to ask: "If I go to 10 more doctors in this field, how many will recommend the treatment you suggest?"

7. Summarize what was said in your meetings with the doctor, and bring someone else with you who can ask questions you might be uncomfortable asking, or help you process the information the doctor gives you.

"We’ve seen too many patients regret decisions they made without fully understanding their options or the possible outcomes," the doctors conclude. "We encourage our patients and our colleagues to be partners in making medical treatment decisions—decisions that are often life-changing."