Ever wondered what to ask during your healthcare visit?

In an interview with Dr. Sabelile Tenza, a Public Health Specialist and Patient Safety expert from the North-West University, she discusses this topic.

“Indeed, it can be so difficult to think about what to ask in the consultation room. From my personal visit to doctors’ rooms, I know it can be tense more so if you have a complicated condition, which you have experienced it for the first time. Today I would like to share a model designed by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI), it is called ASK ME 3 Model,” Dr. Tenza says.

In this model you ask 3 important but simple questions to your healthcare provider, and you gain wealth of information about the management of your health condition.

What is my main problem?
What do I need to do?
Why is it important for me to do this?

The first question on what is my problem, help you understand what exactly is happening in your body, what could have caused it, how common is the problem. It gives the healthcare provider a chance to teach you more about the condition you are having.

The second question helps you to understand how you can contribute in making yourself get better fast, how to take your medication, what will side effects be, any change of behaviour you need to do, and it allows that deep conversation about the action to get better, and how to prevent future occurrences.

The third question helps you understand the importance of all the lessons discussed. You may want to ask, how soon can I expect to get better, this question helps you to return to consultation if the initial treatment is not working for you.

“Most importantly, despite long queues in healthcare settings, it is important to make best use of your consultation, and you can do this by asking these 3 questions. Never feel like you are bothering someone by asking questions. The healthcare provider may be busy, but it is his role to provide health education. Not asking questions is a missed opportunity for learning, you can make best use of your consultation time by these 3 questions.”

Key Points:

* Feel free to ask questions in the consultation room, it is your right to be informed

* Always think about these 3 important questions, then more questions will come to your thoughts during the discussion

“Don’t hesitate to voice your questions. Your active involvement can lead to better outcomes and a more satisfactory healthcare experience. Always remember, to thank your healthcare provider,” Dr. Tenza concludes.