Questions to Ask Your Siteman Care Team

When you are getting care at Siteman Cancer Center, one of the best ways to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit is to ask questions.  Visits can include new information, new terminology and new care team members that can cause overwhelm. Asking questions may be difficult in the moment but Siteman’s FAQ Cancer Care Resource can help you prepare.

Writing down questions before your appointment can be an effective way to make sure you get answers. To help get you started, we have developed a “fast FAQ” sheet that patients report wanting to know during their care. Review it now so you can be prepared to ask questions at your visit or in the future. Remember, Siteman care team members welcome your questions.

Questions to ask during the visit about your cancer treatment:
  • What is my diagnosis and what is the stage?
    • Will there be any additional testing needed to confirm the diagnosis?
    • Can I get a second opinion?
    • Will my case be presented to Tumor Board for review?
  • Why are we making a change in my care?
    • What changed?
    • What will this change include?
  • Should we make a change in my care?
    • What are the potential side effects?
    • What are the steps to make the change?
    • Is this covered under my insurance plan?
  • What side effects are common with this treatment?
  • Will the treatments be on an outpatient basis or will I be admitted to the hospital?
  • How will I feel after the ____ procedure? What kind of recovery time should I expect?
    • During my recovery is there anything special that I need to have (medical equipment, home healthcare, home physical therapy, a caregiver to be available to help)?
    • Will I be able to return to work?
  • Am I a good candidate for a clinical trial at this time?
    • How do I apply for a trial or study?
    • Where will I go for treatment in the trial?
    • How much will this cost and can insurance help?
    • What phase of the trial will I be joining?
    • If I’m able to participate in a trial at Siteman, who will be the lead physician?
    • If I’m administered experimental drugs, who will cover the cost?
    • If the trial doesn’t work, can I change to another trial?
  • How do I access MyChart?
    • Is there a place in MyChart where I can download information regarding my diagnosis and treatment?
  • How do you think my treatment is going? Has anything surprised you?
    • Can you review the test results with me? I can see them in MyChart but am having a hard time interpreting the information.
Questions to ask to improve communication during a visit:
  • Can you speak a little slower? I am having a hard time understanding you.
  • Can you share this in writing with me too, so I can review it later?
  • Can I have handouts in larger print?
  • What is the best way for me to contact team members?
    • May I have their phone numbers and email addresses?
  • Which team member do I reach out to:
    • with questions regarding physical changes?
    • for guidance filing insurance claims?
    • for help with applying for my employers disability plan?
    • for assistance filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
    • for support with billing issues?
Questions to ask for clarification when speaking with a physician, nurse, pharmacist or more team members:
  • I heard you say I need to ________. Is that right? Tell me more about that.
  • I didn’t understand the word ________. Can you tell me what it means?
  • Can you remind me which medications I need to fill/refill/take?
    • Is there a way to help manage all of these medicines when I’m at home?
    • What’s the process to getting prescriptions refilled?
  • Which medications do I need to stop?
    • Why are we stopping the prescription?
    • What will be its replacement?
    • What do I do with any medicine I haven’t used?
  • When is my next appointment/treatment?
    • Will this be a one-time treatment or will it be a series of appointments?
    • How long should I plan to be at the appointment?
  • Which location will I be visiting?
    • Can the treatments be provided at another Siteman location that may be near my home?
    • Will I have access to Saint Luke’s network in the Kansas City area?
  • What else do I need to know?

If you think of a question after a visit, there are many ways you can find answers:

 

Need an Interpreter?

If your native language is not English, or if you feel best speaking in a language that is not English, you have the right to an interpreter. Tell your care team you would like an interpreter and one will be provided to you. This is a free, confidential service. Learn more about interpreter services and Siteman here.