Questions to Ask
Your Doctor for Women

You and Your Doctor >> Questions to Ask Your Doctor for Women

This information is provided by an independent source, Merck & Co., Inc. is not responsible for this content. Please discuss any and all treatment options with your healthcare professional.

Going to see the doctor? Even the best physician can't give you the right answers if you're not asking the right questions. Our simple, structured, and easy to read "Questions to Ask Your Doctor" section helps put you in control of your healthcare.

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The following are 'Questions To Ask' yourself in thinking about if and how you want to use health care planning tools such as advance directives and a living will.

1. If I become terminally ill or permanently unconscious for some reason, or am aware but permanently lose decision-making capacity, as with Alzheimer's disease, do I want treatments to prolong my life, no matter what the quality of my life is then?

2. If life-sustaining treatment cannot restore me to consciousness or restore my ability to communicate with family members and friends, would I rather stop treatment?

3. To what degree should I weigh the cost to my family in my decision-making process about prolonging my life in certain irreversible situations, such as terminally illness or permanent unconsciousness?

4. What is important to me about the manner in which I die? Is it important for me to die at home?

5. What role do I want my health care professional or health care team to play in decisions about my medical care if I become seriously ill or disabled?

6. Whom do I want to serve as my health care agent should I become seriously ill or disabled? Can I trust that this person will carry out my wishes even if they run counter to the person's own?