Summit Orthopedics

Study: Patients Should Ask More Questions

Communication is vital to ensure optimal care, but one recent national study shows there is a disconnect between patients 60 and older and orthopedic doctors.

The study from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that patients in this age group raised only 53 percent of their concerns about surgery during office visits.

There are various reasons. Patients may feel intimidated or rushed during their visit, or they may simply not know what questions to ask.

Suggestions for patients when they visit a doctor include:

Bring a notepad and pen to take notes in order to remember the key points.
Bring a friend or family member who can assist in asking questions, taking notes, and verifying information from the doctor.
Ask questions when you don’t understand the meaning of a word or instructions the doctor is giving you.
Ask what to expect from the treatment and what recovery will entail.
Ask for more information on the surgery (e.g. a pamphlet or Web site).

“We welcome patients to ask questions if they are unclear about our diagnosis, their surgery, or any other type of treatment recommended for them,” says Dr. Daniel Hoeffel of Summit Orthopedics. “Additionally, we as doctors have a responsibility to make certain our patients leave our office with a clear understanding of what we tell them.”

As a result of the study, researchers suggest that when talking with patients, surgeons should be aware of the patient’s body language, and should ask them what questions they have and if there is anything else they’d like to talk about.