Checklist for Getting the Right Diagnosis

Take an active role in working with your doctor or nurse when you are ill. To help them put all of this information together to find the right diagnosis (health problem), your doctor or nurse will need to:

• Ask you questions about your current illness and medical history

• Do a physical exam

• Order some tests if needed

• Come up with a list of possible diagnoses that may be causing you to feel ill and narrow it down

• Recommend treatment for your illness

By following this checklist, you become a partner in finding the right diagnosis for you.

Checklist for Getting the Right Diagnosis Ask questions and get involved
1. Tell Your Story Well: Be Clear, Complete, and Accurate when you tell your doctor or nurse about your illness.
	Be Clear Take some time to think about when your symptoms started, what made your symptoms better or worse, or if your symptoms were related to taking medications, eating a meal, exercising, or a certain time of day.
	Be Complete Try to remember all of the important information about your illness. Write down some notes and bring them with you, a family member may be able to help you with this.
	Be Accurate Sometimes a nurse or health technician may ask you questions about your illness before you see the doctor. Make sure your doctor hears the same story.
2. Be A Good Historian:
	Remember what treatments you have tried in the past and if they helped
	Think about how your illness has progressed over time
	Think about your family’s medical history and if you may be at risk to get the same illness
3. Be A Good Record Keeper:
	Keep your own records of test results, referrals, and hospital admissions
	Keep an accurate list of your medications
	Bring your medication list with you when you see your doctor, nurse or pharmacist
4. Be An Informed Consumer:
	Learn about your illness by looking on the Internet (www.medlineplus.gov) or visit a local library.
	Learn about the tests or procedures you are having done.
	Learn about your medications: Know the name of your medication (both generic and brand names) For Example: Tylenol (brand name) and Acetaminophen (generic name) Know what the medication is for Know the amount (dose) you need to take Know the time you need to take it during the day Know the side effects to watch for and report to your doctor Know if the medication interacts with any food or drugs
5. Take Charge of Managing Your Health:
	When meeting with your doctor or nurse, use the Ask Me 3 brochure titled Good Questions for Getting the Right Diagnosis
	If you have more than one doctor, make sure each doctor knows what the other person is thinking and planning
	Make sure each doctor knows all of your test results, medications, or other treatments
	Be informed and involved in decisions about your health
6. Know Your Test Results:
	Make sure both you and your doctor get the results from any tests that are done
	Don’t assume that no news is good news, call and check on your test results
	Ask what the test results mean and what needs to be done next
7. Follow Up:
	Ask when you need to make another appointment (follow up) with your doctor or nurse once you start treatment
	Ask what to expect from the treatment or what it will do for you
	Ask what you need to do if you get new symptoms, or start to feel worse
8. Make Sure It Is The Right Diagnosis:
	Sometimes your diagnosis is the most “likely” thing that is wrong, but it may not be the “right” thing
	Don’t be afraid to ask “What else could this be?”
	Encourage your doctor or nurse to think about other possible reasons for your illness

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