Phoenix ER Doctor Reveals 10 Questions Patients Never Ask Their Physicians

Dr. Kevin Haselhorst says fear prevents many patients from getting answers they need. The topic is a timely fit for National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16.

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Kevin Haselhorst

Mar 23, 2016, 08:45 ET

PHOENIX, March 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergency medicine physician Kevin Haselhorst has seen his share of patients and family members who failed to ask the tough questions that would have benefitted them most during their medical crises. According to Haselhorst, patients' fears prevent them from asking for information. "This fear factor sabotages patients' ability to have their end-of-life wishes come true," he notes.

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To help prepare patients for National Healthcare Decisions Day, a national event aimed at demystifying healthcare decisions, Haselhorst has compiled a list of ten questions patients should ask their physicians.

The questions are:

  1. Is this medical test necessary?
  2. Can you feel my pain?
  3. How am I supposed to cope with stress?
  4. How can I be sure you are taking me seriously?
  5. How are my listening skills?
  6. At what age do you classify me, physically and mentally?
  7. Would you ever recommend that I not see you again?
  8. Do you know how I will die?
  9. Where is the endpoint to my disease process or treatment?
  10. Do you know me as a spiritual being?

Haselhorst will go explain the importance of each individual question. For example, the first question might head off a battery of unnecessary medical tests, preventing a patient from wasting his time and resources on tests that might not change the treatment plan, Haselhorst says. Meanwhile question two addresses the gap between the pain level patients are truly experiencing and what physicians believe their pain level is based on the way they are acting. Typically physicians prescribe pain medicine when it might be more appropriate for the doctor and patient to talk about stress reduction measures.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Haselhorst is an emergency medicine physician affiliated with Abrazo Health Care in Phoenix. He is the author of Wishes to Die For, which recently reached the top spot in Amazon's oncology nursing category. The book is an introspective guide to advance care planning that draws from the heart's desire for compassion, innate harmony, healing presence and unconditional love. More information is available at KevinHaselhorst.com.

AVAILABILITY: Phoenix, nationwide by arrangement and via telephone

CONTACT:  Kevin Haselhorst, 480-907-6027; Email

SOURCE Kevin Haselhorst

Related Links

http://www.kevinhaselhorst.com

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