For Patients & Families

Questions to ask your child's neurosurgeon

A checklist of practical questions to bring to your child's appointments

Important. This is a general guide. Your child's situation is unique. Do not let this replace the conversations with your child's medical team.
Reviewed by — Neurosurgeon · Sidra Medicine, Doha · Last updated:

When you're sitting in the consulting room facing a neurosurgical diagnosis for your child, it's easy to forget the questions you wanted to ask. This page is a checklist you can bring with you — print it, save it on your phone, or read it before the appointment. Not every question will fit every situation; pick the ones that matter to you.

Understanding the diagnosis

  • What exactly is the diagnosis, in plain language?
  • How sure are you of the diagnosis? Are more tests needed?
  • What caused this in my child, if we know?
  • Is this condition common or rare?
  • Will it get worse if we wait?
  • Can you draw it for me or show me on the scan?

Choosing the treatment

  • What are the treatment options for my child?
  • Which option are you recommending and why?
  • What happens if we decide not to operate, or to wait?
  • How many of these operations do you and your team do each year?
  • Is there a second opinion you would recommend we get?
  • How urgent is this — can we take time to decide?

The operation

  • How long does the operation usually take?
  • Will my child have a scar, and where will it be?
  • Will my child's hair need to be shaved?
  • What are the main risks of this operation, and how often do they happen?
  • What can go wrong, and what do you do if it does?
  • Who will be in the operating room? Will you do the operation yourself?
  • How will I be updated during the surgery?

Hospital stay and immediate recovery

  • How many nights will my child be in the hospital?
  • Will my child be in intensive care after the surgery?
  • Can I stay with my child overnight?
  • What will pain control look like? Will my child be uncomfortable?
  • When will my child be able to eat and drink again?
  • When will the wound dressing come off, and how do we care for it at home?

Going home and life afterwards

  • What activities can my child do safely after going home? Sports? Swimming? Air travel?
  • When can my child go back to school or nursery?
  • What restrictions are temporary and what are long-term?
  • Will my child need any medications at home? For how long?
  • What is the follow-up schedule? When is the first appointment after surgery?
  • Who do I call if I have a concern between appointments, and what number do I use after hours?
  • What signs at home should make us go to the emergency department?

The long-term outlook

  • What is the long-term outlook for a child like mine?
  • Will this affect my child's development, learning, or behaviour?
  • Will my child need other specialists — physiotherapy, speech therapy, eye doctor, neurology?
  • How often will my child need scans, and what kind?
  • Will this affect my child's ability to participate in normal life as an adult?
  • Is there a parent support group or family network we can join?

Practical and family questions

  • How should we explain this to my child (in language they can understand)?
  • How should we explain it to siblings, grandparents, school?
  • Is there a social worker, child-life specialist, or psychologist who can help our family?
  • Are there financial or insurance questions we should ask the hospital about?
  • Are there reputable websites or books you would recommend?
  • Are there things on the internet you would specifically warn us NOT to read?
One last tip. It's completely OK to bring a notebook, take notes, record the conversation (with permission), or ask the same question more than once. Important medical information is hard to absorb the first time. If you don't understand something, say so — your child's team would rather explain it ten times than have you leave confused. You are your child's strongest advocate; never feel that your questions are too many or too small.