How to talk to your doctor

You go in, and he's rushed, and you're confused, and you forget to ask the question you came in with. I've finished an exam without knowing the diagnosis and had to ask.

The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has created a website to help.

Patients talking to the doctor about a proposed surgery, for example, are prompted to ask how long it will take to recover. The site offers tips on what to do before, during and after medical visits, such as calling the doctor if there are any side effects. The site includes an interactive "Question Builder."

Here are some typical questions to ask at a checkup.

• What is my diagnosis?
• What are my treatment options? What are the benefits of each option? What are the side effects?
• Will I need a test? What is the test for? What will the results tell me?
• What will the medicine you are prescribing do? How do I take it? Are there any side effects?
• Why do I need surgery? Are there other ways to treat my condition? How often do you perform this surgery?
• Do I need to change my daily routine?

Read more in The Wall Street Journal here.