The Healthiest You: Query Theory

We chat with Family Practice Center of Wadsworth family physician Dr. Matthew P. Finneran to find out what you should ask your doctor to keep going full-speed ahead.

Can you explain that?

If you get a diagnosis or a new prescription, make sure you and your doctor are on the same page. "The education aspect is extremely important," Finneran says. "Do you understand how you're supposed to take the medication? Do you understand the potential side effects?"

When should I come back?

Asking this question can eliminate unneeded visits and testing while still maintaining your health through regular visits. "You may not need an [OB-GYN] internal exam every year," he says. "But you probably ought to still go to your doctor on a yearly basis."

How can I take better care of myself?

Show your doctor that you're invested in your well-being by offering this lead-in for more information on how to be healthy. "It might be a website or a handout that we offer through the office or a consult with a dietician," Finneran says.