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First-Time Patient Advice

Talking With Your Care Team

Learn more about how you can prepare for a productive conversation with your cancer care and treatment team at the OSUCCC – James.

Talking With Your Care Team

    Your treatment team of cancer subspecialists spans a broad range of disciplines: from medical, surgical and radiation oncologists to molecular and biological pathologists, genetic scientists and more—all specializing in one type of cancer: yours.

    It’s important to be an active participant in your cancer care and treatment. Here are some helpful tips when talking with your OSUCCC – James care team.

    If you have additional questions, call the James Line at 614-293-5123 or toll-free 800-293-5123.

    During Your Visit

    • Share the list of questions or problems you want to talk about with your doctor.
    • Tell the doctor how much you want to know about your condition, treatment and medicines. For more information:
      • Visit The Library for Health Information, located in the Atrium on the fifth floor of Rhodes Hall. You may also contact the library by calling 614-293-3707 or emailing health-info@osu.edu.
    • Ask your doctor to explain anything you do not understand. It is important for you to know what your doctor has said, so you can take care of yourself.
    • Make sure that you:
      • Ask for written instructions or make your own notes about how to care for yourself (such as changes in your diet or activity level, special treatments and any equipment or supplies you may need).
      • Understand the medicine you need to take, including how much you should take, the time of day you should take it and for how many days you should take it.
      • Ask about any side effects you should watch for and what you should do if you experience them.

    Things to Know

    • People respond to treatments or medicines differently.
    • It is important to let your health care team know if you have an Advance Directive, so they can honor your health care choices. If you would like to have an Advance Directive ask your doctor for more information.
    • You have choices. You may get a second opinion. You may ask about changing your treatment plan. You can choose to have a different doctor.
    • It is important to ask your doctor for a refill several days before your medicine will be gone.