HC411R - Questions are the Answer

Debra:  This is Healthcare 411.

Medical mistakes cause tens of thousands of deaths each year, and in many cases patients can play a role in helping to prevent these mistakes more on this next.

[PSA]

Narrator: Medical mistakes claim tens of thousands of lives every year. The health care community is working on it, but you can help.

When you communicate with your doctor, when you ask more questions, you reduce your risk of suffering a medical mistake. Doctors can’t answer if you don’t ask. Help reduce your risk. Questions are the answer.

Learn the 10 questions you must ask. Visit www.ahrq.gov.

This message brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Ad Council.

[End PSA]

Debra:  This is Healthcare 411.

Dr. Clancy:  The Institute of Medicine estimated that between 44 and 98 thousand Americans die every year as a result of avoidable medical errors.

Debra:  Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Dr. Clancy:  To the extent that consumers, by asking questions and playing a more active role in their own health and health care can prevent that, we think that’s an incredibly important opportunity.

Debra:  How will patients benefit by asking questions?

Dr. Clancy:  By asking questions, consumers can often anticipate problems that they are likely to have with treatments.  They may also gather information that will be useful to them in the future.  For example, people who have diabetes who are active are often monitoring their own blood sugars, they learn how to anticipate problems before they occur, and do a better job preventing complications. 

Debra:   Why do you think that patients are reluctant to ask questions of their providers?

Dr. Clancy:  Patients are very sensitive to the fact that health care professionals these days are often incredibly busy and they kind of get the message that I don’t have time now.  I think that is simply a signal to consumers to say I know you might be busy right now, but tell me when I can get my questions answered.

Debra:  To learn more about asking the right questions, go to www.ahrq.gov.  I’m Debra James.  Healthcare 411 is produced by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.