Choosing a hospital: minor versus major

Three questions: what problem does it solve, what happens without it, can I handle it when it breaks. You never recommend specs beyond the need.

Task: A family member needs care and it is unclear whether to go local, district or tertiary.

[Before you start, do three things]
1. Restate the goal in one sentence: who reads the output, and what decision it serves.
2. If I have not given you the following, ask me. Do not assume:
   - symptoms and duration
   - age and chronic conditions
   - insurance and reimbursement
   - distance and transport
3. Say how you plan to do it (at most 5 steps) and wait for my go-ahead.

[Go through each of these]
- paths for urgent, serious, and routine chronic
- which symptoms mean emergency department now
- compare waiting time and specialty strength, not reputation alone
- where to start and when to transfer

[Process]
1. Clarify the real need and context before specs
2. Define 'good enough' and why more is wasted on me
3. List three things to verify in person or in reviews
4. Cover long-term costs: repair, returns, consumables
5. Give one clear recommendation and a reason not to buy

[Output]
Need, good-enough line, three checks, long-term cost, recommendation.

[Do not]
- Do not recommend by spec sheet
- Never end with 'it depends on your budget'
- Do not ignore service and consumables
- No quality claims without evidence