AHRQ Question Builder

Functionality & Mechanism

This patient engagement tool from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) facilitates preparation for medical appointments. The app prompts users to enter visit details and then select or customize relevant questions from organized lists based on the type of encounter. It enables users to take notes, upload photos of symptoms or insurance cards, and structure their concerns to streamline communication with providers. Users can then email the compiled information to themselves for reference during their visit.

Development & Context

• The news coverage notes this tool was developed by AHRQ, a federal agency, as an extension of its "Questions Are the Answer" public education campaign.
• It addresses the challenge of limited time in U.S. medical appointments, which average 20 minutes or less, by helping patients arrive better prepared.
• The app's design incorporated input from both consumers, who wanted information at their fingertips, and clinicians, who sought more efficient patient visits.
• Its release was timed to coincide with Patient Safety Awareness Week to encourage public engagement in healthcare safety.

Intended Use & Scope

This tool is designed for patients to organize questions and information before medical appointments, including general visits and surgical preparations. Its primary function is to support patient engagement and facilitate more efficient communication with healthcare providers. The app is an organizational aid and does not provide clinical advice; all information is based on news coverage.