7 Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Seeking No-Fault Care

7 Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Seeking No-Fault Care

Being injured in an auto accident can be a scary experience. It is important for you to be able to advocate for your care during this important time. To do so, these are the questions you’ll want to ask your doctor as your treatment plan begins to be developed.

These are seven important question you may want to ask your doctor about how to go about your treatment, procedures and processes you’ll go through with your auto accident. It is important to make sure that you are in the correct path to getting treated, having the correct treatment and procedures and ultimately to your recovery.

Question #1: What is causing the pain I’m feeling?

Let’s be real for a moment. If you’re in pain after an auto accident, there’s a good chance that you’ve used Google or another search engine to see what might be wrong with you. You may have even tried out a symptom checker on a medical website.

Patients today often go to the doctor, even with no-fault auto accident injuries, because they’re looking for confirmation of a self-diagnosis. That is why one of the most important questions to ask involves what the doctor thinks may be the reason behind pain. Try to listen with an open mind.

Dr. Search Engine might be right sometimes. Allowing our clinic and specialists to evaluate your condition, with your input, is usually a better way to reach a correct diagnosis.

Question #2: What symptoms could indicate a more serious problem?

Many injuries create unique symptoms that do not always follow the medical guidelines. Someone with a neck injury, for example, might feel a sharp, stinging pain in their hand. There can be other symptoms with an injury that indicate a more serious problem is present as well. Be sure to ask your doctor what kind of symptoms to watch for to ensure you can stay on a path that leads to the fullest recovery possible.

Question #3: Are there things I should stop doing to ease my pain?

Far too often, the time between doctor appointments is wasted. There are some good things that you could be doing to facilitate your recovery. Talk to your doctor about what you could be doing at home to create a better recovery experience. That way, you can take a proactive approach to your health instead of one that is reactive.

Question #4: Can I still complete my job responsibilities?

When you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you may be restricted from completing certain job duties that are required of you. When this occurs, you may be assigned a short-term or a long-term disability. Some injuries may even create a permanent disability.

If you are unable to medically return to work, a no-fault incident may qualify for lost wages as part of your benefits. You’ll need to have documentation from your doctor about your health. Your employer must also submit verification of your wages. This information must be submitted within a specific time period.

Question #5: How much rest should I be getting each day?

Injuries usually require some type of rest as part of the recovery process. Because some injuries cause bothersome symptoms, such as insomnia, it can be difficult to gauge how much rest is actually being achieved. Talk to your doctor about any specific rest instructions they would like you to follow.

That may include bed rest for serious injuries or individuals who may require a surgical intervention. It usually involves some type of restricted activity, such as a limit on how much weight to carry.

Question #6: What treatment options are available to me?

Auto accident injuries usually create pain. That’s why one of the most common treatment options offered is some type of pain control. There are numerous ways that pain can be controlled within the human body. Prescription medication or over-the-counter painkillers are just two options to think about.

You may be encouraged to do some stretching each day. Exercise may be part of your treatment plan. Acupuncture may be helpful with some treatment plans. By asking this question, you’ll be able to understand more about the options available to you, as well as why your doctor may be making a specific recommendation.

Question #7: How long will it take before the pain begins to disappear?

Even if you receive a general timeframe for your recovery, the hope of an end to the pain and discomfort of an injury can reduce stress and anxiety. That way, you can work on planning your daily routines around the care you need after your auto accident.

At No-Fault Doctor Queens, we believe that a patient who is curious is a patient that will work hard to become healthy once again. We invite you to ask these questions, as well as any others you may have, during an appointment. That’s because the best treatment plans are the ones we developed together.