The Partnership for Clear Health Communication (PCHC) is a national, non-profit coalition of organizations working to build awareness and advance solutions to improve health literacy and positively impact health outcomes.  They recommend asking three simple questions of your healthcare provider:

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Here are a few reminders to follow when visiting your healthcare provider: 

• I will ask the three questions.
• I will bring a friend or family member to help me at my doctor visit.
• I will make a list of my health concerns to tell my doctor or health care professional.
• I will bring a list of all my medicines when I visit my doctor or health care professional.
• I will ask my pharmacist for help when I have questions about my medicines.

Your doctor, nurse and pharmacist want you to have the information you need to care for your health.  And you, too, want to ensure they are giving you all the information that's required.