5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider before you get any test, treatment, or procedure
Use these 5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider to make sure you end up with the right amount of care — not too much and not too little.
Some tests, treatments and procedures provide little benefit. And in some cases, they may even cause harm.
Use the 5 questions to make sure you end up with the right amount of care — not too much and not too little.
Do I really need this test, treatment or procedure?
Tests may help you and your doctor or other health care provider determine the problem. Treatments, such as medicines, and procedures may help to treat it.
What are the risks?
Will there be side effects to the test or treatment? What are the chances of getting results that aren’t accurate? Could that lead to more testing, additional treatments or another procedure?
Are there simpler, safer options?
Are there alternative options to treatment that could work. Lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier foods or exercising more, can be safe and effective options.
What happens if I don't do anything?
Ask if your condition might get worse — or better — if you don’t have the test, treatment or procedure right away.
What are the costs?
Costs can be financial, emotional or a cost of your time. Where there is a cost to the community, is the cost reasonable or is there a cheaper alternative?
Adapted from material developed by Consumer Reports. Under licence from the ABIM Foundation ‘Notice to users’.
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