What kind of questions should healthcare providers ask patients?

Effective Questions for Healthcare Providers to Ask Patients

Healthcare providers should ask open-ended questions that engage patients in sharing their concerns, followed by targeted questions about symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and treatment preferences to ensure comprehensive care and shared decision-making.

Opening the Conversation

• Begin with open-ended questions like "What can I do for you today?" or "What brings you in today?" rather than closed-ended questions like "Do you have any questions?" to elicit more comprehensive responses 1, 2
• Use general inquiries rather than confirmatory questions, as they lead to significantly longer problem presentations and disclosure of more discrete symptoms 2
• When asking about concerns, use the phrase "What questions do you have?" instead of "Do you have any questions?" to encourage patients to share their concerns 3
• Introduce yourself and your role in the patient's care to establish rapport and trust 4

Assessing Current Health Status

• Ask about changes in health since the last visit, including new symptoms or concerns that might indicate developing health issues 5
• For specific symptoms, inquire about:
  • Onset and chronology (when symptoms began and progression over time) 6
  • Location and radiation of symptoms 6
  • Quality (how symptoms feel - sharp, dull, burning) 6
  • Severity (using scales or impact on daily activities) 6
  • Duration (how long symptoms last when they occur) 6
  • Context (activities or situations when symptoms occur) 6
  • Modifying factors (what makes symptoms better or worse) 6
  • Associated symptoms 6

Medical History and Medication Review

• Ask about past medical conditions that might affect current health, including chronic diseases, previous surgeries, or hospitalizations 5, 7
• Request a complete list of all medications being taken, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies 5, 7
• Inquire about allergies or adverse reactions to medications 5
• Ask about prior treatments for current conditions and their effectiveness 6

Family History and Risk Factors

• Discuss family history of conditions that might predispose individuals to certain health risks, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes 5, 6
• Ask about the age at which family members developed relevant conditions 6

Preventive Care and Screening

• Inquire about which preventive screenings are recommended based on age, gender, and risk factors 5, 7
• Ask about vaccination history and whether any immunizations are due 5, 7

Lifestyle and Health Behaviors

• Discuss how current lifestyle affects health, including diet, exercise, sleep patterns, and stress levels 5, 7
• Ask about tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drug use 5, 6
• Inquire about work-related exposures that may contribute to symptoms 6
• Assess living conditions that might impact health 6

Mental Health Assessment

• Screen for depression, anxiety, and psychological distress using open-ended questions about the impact of physical symptoms on daily life 7
• Ask "How are you coping and feeling?" to assess emotional well-being 4

Social Determinants of Health

• Assess food insecurity, housing insecurity, and financial barriers to inform treatment decisions 7
• Identify support systems and resources available to the patient 6

Treatment Preferences and Decision-Making

• Ask patients "What are my options?", "What are the benefits and harms?", and "How likely are these?" to improve information exchange about treatment options 8
• Inquire about patient preferences for information: "Some people want to know everything about their medical condition, and others do not. What is your preference?" 4
• Ask about decision-making preferences: "Do you prefer to make medical decisions about future tests or treatments for yourself, or would you prefer that someone else make them for you?" 4

Cultural Considerations

• Ask "Is there anything that would be helpful for me to know about how your family/community/religious faith views serious illness and treatment?" 4
• Inquire about comfort with providers of different backgrounds: "Sometimes people are uncomfortable discussing these issues with a doctor who is of a different race or cultural background. Are you comfortable with me treating you?" 4

Closing the Conversation

• Check for understanding using a "teach back" method: "In your own words, what does this mean to you?" or "What will you tell your family about what we discussed?" 4
• Ask when to schedule the next appointment and discuss any needed referrals to specialists 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Avoid using closed-ended questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no" as they limit information gathering 1, 3
• Don't interrupt patients during their initial presentation, as this can prevent important information from being shared 4
• Avoid providing information when patients are emotional, as they may have difficulty absorbing and processing information in that state 4
• Don't use medical jargon without explanation, as this can create barriers to understanding 4