When it comes to doctors, a patient must always be open and expressive to explain the issues, only then you can build a trust-worthy relationship with the doctor. Whatever be the reason and type of procedure that the doctor needs to carry, honesty with the doctor is crucial. Before a hand surgery, the doctor will require answers for many questions, so always be truthful. Let’s see what types of questions can a doctor asks.
What type of Questions Doctors Ask?
The first things that a doctor will want to know are the medical conditions or medical treatments that you are going through presently. The doctor will also want to know if you have had any previous surgeries, any drug allergies, or medications. All this data is vital so that your history doesn’t interfere with the surgery. Apart from this, the doctor will also want to know about your alcohol and tobacco use, because they have a huge impact on your body and enable the doctor to decide if surgery can be done or not.
Dr. David Graham in John Flynn Hospital Gold Coast, makes sure your overall health status is determined and risk factors are noted before the decision for surgery is done. He now works at Pindara Private Hospital, Benowa Gold Coast.
For a hand surgery, the doctor will first want to know the exact problem you are having, then he may take x-rays or other images of the hand to see the underlying issue. The condition of your hand and the issue you are facing will make him understand the issue clearly.
After you have clearly stated your hand problems, the doctor will do the examination and discuss the probable options of recovering the functions of your hand. Once a consensus is made on the kind of procedure that is needed, the doctor will highlight the steps right from the beginning to the end. The doctor will also let you know the risks involved in the surgery.
Once everything is finalised regarding the surgery, the doctor may as you to stop taking a few medications prior to the surgery, like blood thinning and immunosuppressive medications. This is because hand surgery may involve a lot of blood loss and the doctor needs to make sure that the patient is fully ready to take everything physically and mentally.
For example, a diabetic patient will have to monitor his sugar levels very carefully while fasting. After the surgery, you will have to take other precautions like driving in a cast/support. You can also opt for transportation as you may not be able to drive properly
What type of Questions You Should Ask?
Now that it is clear what kind of questions can a doctor asks, you should also have your list of queries and concerns ready. You are the one who is undergoing surgery, so your voice must be heard clearly. You would like to know about the complications in the surgery, recovery time from the surgery, and post-surgery therapy that you might need.
For a hand surgery, make sure the doctor you chose is the best in his/her field and is able to clear all your doubts before the surgery. In case you are not satisfied with all the answers, you can always consult other specialists for a second opinion. These sessions will help in a clear understanding of the whole process and how it will affect your hand functions. The answers to these questions will also give you peace of mind and will help you go for the surgery on a positive note. After all, a patient’s mental health will determine how fast he/she will come out of post-surgery effects.
Having a good and positive experience with the doctor is the first step towards post-surgery progress. And to achieve this, the patient has to be very clear in voicing his concerns, problems, and questions. At the same time, the doctor should be proficient enough to understand the underlying problem and prescribe the correct procedure.
