There are many reasons why you might be looking for a new doctor. Maybe you've moved to another city, or perhaps your doctor is retiring. If you need a new doctor, these questions should help you find one who is right for you. Pick the questions that fit your situation the best.

Basics

1. Is the doctor taking new patients?
2. Is the doctor a preferred provider under my insurance plan?
3. Does the doctor accept Medicare?

Determining a Doctor's Qualifications and Background

4. Is the doctor board certified? In what field?
5. Is the age, sex, race, or religion of the doctor important to me?
6. Will language be an obstacle to communication? Is there someone in the office who speaks my language?
7. Do I prefer a group practice or an individual doctor?
8. Does it matter which hospital the doctor admits patients to?

Location of the Doctor's Office

9. Is the location of the doctor’s office important? How far am I willing to travel to see the doctor?
10. Is there parking? What does it cost? Is the office on a bus or subway line?
11. Does the building have an elevator? What about ramps for a wheelchair or walker?

Know the Doctor's Office Policies

12. What days/hours does the doctor see patients?
13. Are there times set aside for the doctor to take phone calls? Does the doctor accept emailed questions? Is there a charge for this service?
14. Does the doctor ever make house calls?
15. How far in advance do I have to make appointments?
16. What’s the process for urgent care? How do I reach the doctor in an emergency?
17. Who takes care of patients after hours or when the doctor is away?

Learning that you have cancer can be a shock and you may feel overwhelmed at first. When you meet with your doctor, you will hear a lot of information. These questions may help you learn more about your cancer and what you can expect next.

• What type of cancer do I have?
• What is the stage of my cancer?
• Has it spread to other areas of my body?
• Will I need more tests before treatment begins? Which ones?
• Which types of doctors do I need to see for my cancer treatment?
• Will you help me find a doctor to give me another opinion on the best treatment plan for me?
• How serious is my cancer?
• What are my chances of survival?

You may want to ask your doctor some of the following questions before you decide on your cancer treatment.

Questions about Cancer Treatment

• What are treatments for my type and stage of cancer?
• Where can I find more information about the types of cancer treatments?
• What are the benefits and risks of each of these treatments?
• What treatment do you recommend? Why do you think it is best for me?
• When will I need to start treatment?
• Will I need to be in the hospital for treatment? If so, for how long?
• What is my chance of recovery with this treatment?
• How will we know if the treatment is working?
• Would a clinical trial (research study) be right for me?
• How do I find out about studies for my type and stage of cancer?

Questions about Finding a Specialist and Getting a Second Opinion

• Will I need a specialist(s) for my cancer treatment?
• Will you help me find a doctor to give me another opinion on the best treatment plan for me?

Questions about What Happens during Treatment

• Where will I go for treatment?
• How is the treatment given?
• How long will each treatment session take?
• How many treatment sessions will I have?
• Should a family member or friend come with me to my treatment sessions?
• How will I feel after each treatment? Will I be able to go about my day or should I plan to rest?
• Will treatment affect my appetite or make it hard to eat?

Questions about Side Effects

• What are the possible side effects of the treatment?
• What side effects may happen during or between my treatment sessions?
• Are there any side effects that I should call you about right away?
• Are there any lasting effects of the treatment?
• Will this treatment affect my ability to have children?
• How can I prevent or treat side effects?

Questions about Medicines and Other Products You Might Be Taking

• Do I need to tell you about the medicines I am taking now?
• Should I tell you about dietary supplements (such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, or fish oil) that I am taking?
• Could any drugs or supplements change the way that cancer treatment works?

If you are thinking about taking part in a clinical trial, you should feel free to ask any questions or bring up any issues concerning the trial at any time. The following suggestions may give you some ideas as you think about your own questions.

The study

• What is the purpose of the study?
• Why do researchers think the approach may be effective?
• Who will fund the study?
• Who has reviewed and approved the study?
• How are study results and safety of participants being monitored?
• How long will the study last?
• What will my responsibilities be if I take part?
• Who will tell me about the results of the study and how will I be informed?

Risks and possible benefits

• What are my possible short-term benefits?
• What are my possible long-term benefits?
• What are my short-term risks, and side effects?
• What are my long-term risks?
• What other options are available?
• How do the risks and possible benefits of this trial compare with those options?

Participation and care

• What kinds of therapies, procedures and/or tests will I have during the trial?
• Will they hurt, and if so, for how long?
• How do the tests in the study compare with those I would have outside of the trial?
• Will I be able to take my regular medications while taking part in the clinical trial?
• Where will I have my medical care?
• Who will be in charge of my care?

Personal issues

• How could being in this study affect my daily life?
• Can I talk to other people in the study?

Cost issues

• Will I have to pay for any part of the trial such as tests or the study drug?
• If so, what will the charges likely be?
• What is my health insurance likely to cover?
• Who can help answer any questions from my insurance company or health plan?
• Will there be any travel or child care costs that I need to consider while I am in the trial?

Tips for asking your doctor about trials

• Consider taking a family member or friend along for support and for help in asking questions or recording answers.
• Plan what to ask — but don't hesitate to ask any new questions.
• Write down questions in advance to remember them all.
• Write down the answers so that they’re available when needed.
• Ask about bringing a tape recorder to make a taped record of what's said (even if you write down answers).

This information courtesy of Cancer.gov.

When you have finished your cancer treatment, you will talk with your doctor about next steps and follow-up care. You may want to ask your doctor some of the following questions:

• How long will it take for me to get better and feel more like myself?
• What kind of care should I expect after my treatment?
• What long-term health issues can I expect as a result of my cancer and its treatment?
• What is the chance that my cancer will return?
• What symptoms should I tell you about?
• Who do I call if I develop these symptoms?
• What can I do to be as healthy as possible?
• Which doctor(s) should I see for my follow-up care? How often?
• What tests do I need after treatment is over? How often will I have the tests?
• What records do I need to keep about my treatment?
• Is there a counselor I can talk to or an online or in-person support group you can suggest?

Communication is important throughout cancer care. If you learn that you have advanced cancer, you will have choices to make about your care and what steps you need to take. For many, it’s hard to ask questions about what these steps should be. Some patients with advanced cancer benefit from new treatments, while others do not.

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, or the standard treatment isn’t working, it's important to ask your health care team what to expect in the future. Studies show that patients who have these discussions with their doctor have a better quality of life than those who don’t.

You can hope for the best while still being informed about your choices. The more information you have, the better decisions you and your loved ones can make about how you want to move forward with your care. When you meet with your doctor, consider asking some of the following questions:

Questions about Your Cancer

• What does “advanced cancer” mean for me?
• How long can I live with my advanced cancer?
• Are there tests I should have now to better understand the extent of my cancer?

Questions about Treatment Choices

• What’s the best we can hope for by trying another treatment? What’s the goal?
• What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me and why?
• Is this treatment plan meant to help side effects, slow the growth of my cancer, or both?
• Is there a chance that a new treatment will be found while we try the old one?
• Would a clinical trial be right for me?
• What kind of care will I receive to keep me comfortable if I decide not to have active treatment for my cancer?

Questions about Symptoms and Side Effects

• What are the possible side effects and other downsides of this treatment? How likely are they?
• How can I manage the symptoms of my advanced cancer or the side effects of its treatment?
• Can you refer me to a palliative care specialist to help me cope with my side effects?

Questions about Making the Transition from Cancer Treatment to Hospice Care

• How do I decide whether to continue or stop cancer treatment?
• When should I consider having hospice care?
• How can I make sure I have the best quality of life possible – that I am comfortable and free of pain?
• Can I have hospice care in my home, or do I have to go to a special facility?
• How can I get help with financial and legal issues (for example, paying for hospice care or preparing a will or an advance directive)?
• How can I get help with my spiritual needs?

Talking about these questions may help you decide whether to continue or to begin active treatment. Tell your health care team exactly what you want to know, and how much you can take in. If possible, it's best to involve your loved ones in this process. It will help you figure out your needs and the needs of others close to you.