MultiCare Health System

• MultiCare Regional Cancer
  Center
• The Dr. Richard C.
  Ostenson Cancer Center
• Types of Cancer
• Patient Resources
• Find a Location
• Cancer Care Guide
  • The Healing Environment
  • Understanding Cancer
  • Wellness and Support
    Services
  • Keeping Track of My Care
    • Keeping Lab Results
    • Key Terms
    • Communicating With Your
      Health Care Team
    • Asking the Right Questions
       
    • My Care Plan
    • Journaling
    • Goal Setting
     
  • The Caregivers
  • Managing Your Symptoms and
    Improving Your Health
  • Cancer Services and
    Resouces
  • Legal Considerations
  • Comfort Care
  • Glossary of Cancer Related
    Terms
   
 

Asking the Right Questions

Doctors are trained to diagnose and talk about diseases. What patients and families want to know is personalized information about their illness. If you don’t ask questions, you may lack necessary information to be successful in this journey. So don’t be shy. Your healthcare team needs to hear from you.

Here is a list of questions you might need or what to ask your doctor:

What exactly is this illness?

What usually happens with this illness?

What are the usual treatment options?

• How effective are they?
• What happens with a particular treatment?
• Are these all my options?
• What happens if I do nothing?