Pain or symptoms that feel unusual
You know your body. If the pain or symptoms feel different from what you expected, or different from what you have experienced before, it is reasonable to ask for this to be reviewed.
Your concern
My pain or symptoms feel unusual
You could say
“This pain or symptom feels unusual for me and I do not feel reassured. Please can you explain what has been checked, whether anything needs further review and when I should seek urgent help?”
Questions to ask
- What has been checked?
- What could be causing this?
- Is there anything that needs further review?
- What should make me call back or come in immediately?
- Who is responsible for the next decision?
Ask for it to be documented
If you are worried, you can ask for your concern and the advice given to be recorded.
“Please can you record in my notes that I raised this concern, what I reported, what was checked and what the plan is?”
The core question
If you are worried and do not know what else to say, ask this.
“What has been checked? What is the plan? When will this be reviewed again? Who is responsible for the next decision?”
You are allowed to ask for the reason, the plan, the review point and who is responsible for the next decision.
Hear Her First does not tell you what clinical decision is right. It helps you ask clear questions, understand the plan and seek further review if you do not feel reassured.