Questions that matter

Before your appointment

You may find it helpful to make a list of symptoms that you wish to share with your healthcare professional. Think about the questions that you may wish to ask them. To help you out, we have created a list of questions. They may be a helpful guide to you and your healthcare professional when you meet with them. 

During your appointment, it is okay:

• to ask questions about your health and potential treatments or tests
• to say when you do not understand
• to ask for explanations
• to question the reasons why something is being suggested
• to say you are not happy with something
• to say what matters to you
• to bring someone with you if you need support or wish help to ask questions.

Getting this right for you

At NHS Fife, we are working hard to make sure that you, the patient, are at the heart of all conversations and decisions about your health. When you attend, you may be asked by our staff before you leave if you are happy to provide feedback on how useful this experience has been in assisting with your appointment and healthcare decisions. 

Questions that matter

To help get the best out of your appointment, you may find it useful to ask the following questions about any proposed test, procedure or treatment:

1. Are there potential benefits or risks?
2. Are there possible side effects?
3. Are there simpler, safer or alternative treatment options?
4. Is this test, procedure or treatment really needed?
5. What if we choose not to go ahead with this test, procedure or treatment?
6. Can I do anything else to help myself?