Asking Questions
About Medical Tests
By Carolyn M.
Clancy, M.D.
February 5, 2008
A registered
nurse in her mid-40s, Nancy Keelan was concerned
that her heavy, irregular bleeding could be
something more serious than the start of
menopause. But her doctor did not agree and told
her on several occasions not to worry.
Three years
later, at age 46, Keelan discovered she had
advanced endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Today, she speaks
to women’s groups and advises them not to wait
to see their doctors if they develop new,
unusual symptoms, according to a recent CNN news
report. Keelan also urges women who are worried
about new symptoms to ask their doctors if they
should be tested to diagnose or rule out a
disease or illness.
If a nurse like
Keelanwho is familiar with medical tests and
termsdidn’t insist that her doctor perform a
test when she experienced symptoms, I wouldn’t
be surprised if you were also reluctant to ask
for a test. That’s why her story and her advice
are so important. Asking questions about medical
testswhich ones you need, which ones you don’t,
and what the results tell youcan help you stay
healthy and alert your doctor to the signs of a
medical problem.
A wide array of
medical tests are available today that can
detect disease or illness at an early stage,
when many conditions can be treated effectively.
Your physician shouldn’t prescribe tests that
you don’t need, but you should get the tests
that are right for your age, gender, and medical
history.
Maybe you don’t
know why you need a particular test or don’t
understand how it will help you. Here are some
questions about medical tests that my
agency, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality (AHRQ), developed to help you talk to
your doctor.
Ask your doctor:
- How is the
test done?
- What kind of
information will the test provide?
- Is this test
the only way to find out that information?
- What are the
risks and benefits of having this test?
- How accurate
is the test?
- What do I
need to do to prepare for the test?
- Will the
test be uncomfortable?
- How long
will it take to get the results, and how
will I get them?
- What’s the
next step after the test?
Your doctor
should be able to tell you when the results of
your medical test will be ready. Do not assume
that everything is fine if you don’t hear from
your doctor. Tests results can get lost, or
people can think someone else gave you the
results. No news is not necessarily good news.
In fact, a study
conducted at Harvard Medical School found that
up to 33 percent of doctors did not always
notify patients about abnormal test results. If
you don’t hear from your doctor, call to get
your results.
It is also
possible that your test results are incorrect.
If you or your doctor think the test results may
not be right, retake the test. A second test can
confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
It’s also a good
idea to get information on the lab your doctor
uses to analyze test results. For example, you
may want to know if your doctor uses a lab
because he or she has a business arrangement
with them or if a health insurance company
requires your doctor to use a certain lab.
You can find out
if a lab is accredited by or has a seal of
approval from groups such as the College of
American Pathologists or the Joint Commission.
Both groups require labs to meet certain
standards, which are linked to better-quality
services.
If you need a
mammogram, which is a test to detect breast
cancer, make sure the test is performed at a
facility that is approved by the Food and Drug
Administration. You can ask this when you
make your appointment, or you can call
800-4-CANCER to find out the names and locations
of approved facilities in your area.
By asking your
doctor questions about medical tests and your
test results, you will have the information that
you need to make smart decisions about your
health care.
I’m Dr. Carolyn
Clancy, and that’s my advice on how to navigate
the health care system.
Resources
Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality
Quick TipsWhen Getting Medical Tests
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/quicktips/tiptests.htm
College
of American Pathologists
Laboratory Accreditation Program Inspection
Checklists
http://www.cap.org/
Joint
Commission
Joint Commission Requirement for
Laboratories
http://www.jcrinc.com/26813/newsletters/28193/
U.S. Food
and Drug Administration
Mammography Web Site
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography/index.html
Current as of February 2008
Internet Citation:
Asking Questions About Medical Tests.
Navigating the Health Care System: Advice
Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy, February 5,
2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc020508.htm
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