Take Charge of Your Health with Ask Me 3®

Ask Me 3® is a simple tool developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to help you better understand your medical treatments and care plans. If you would like a paper copy of the brochure, ask your Overture caregiver to provide one for you.

Here’s a story that shows how Ask Me 3® can make a big difference during a healthcare visit.

James Takes Charge of His Health with Ask Me 3®

James, a 76-year-old retired teacher, had been feeling short of breath and noticed his ankles were swelling. He went to see his clinician, but in the past, he often felt rushed during visits and didn’t always remember what was said once he got home.

This time, James brought his Ask Me 3® brochure to guide the conversation.

He started with his first question:
“What is my main problem?”
The clinician explained, “You have congestive heart failure. This means your heart isn’t pumping as well as it should, which is causing fluid to build up in your body and making it harder to breathe.”

Next, James asked:
“What do I need to do?”
The clinician said, “You’ll need to take your prescribed medicines every day, reduce salt in your diet, and weigh yourself every morning. If you gain more than two pounds in one day or five pounds in a week, call us right away.”

Finally, James asked:
“Why is it important for me to do this?”
The clinician explained, “These steps will help keep fluid from building up, ease your breathing, and prevent serious complications that could lead to a hospital stay.”

James wrote down the answers in his brochure. When he returned home, he felt confident explaining the plan to his wife. Together, they posted the brochure on their refrigerator as a daily reminder.

by Dr. Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C, CPPS, FNAP