Have a think about the following steps in your journey to get the most out of your consultation.
Before your appointment
I would encourage you to fill out the questionnaire if you are sent one prior to your appointment. Put in as much information as you can give. Make sure that you include a list of medications as this can be time consuming to go over during the appointment.
Take some time to get organised before your appointment. Make a note of things that will help you during you appointment:
- What is your main reason for the assessment – make a list of symptoms, concerns or questions
- Is there any important information you want them to know that there wasn’t space for on the pre-assessment form
- What help do you think you need or feel you aren’t getting elsewhere
- What symptoms are causing you the most concern
- Any previous events or illnesses that are having an impact on your current health concerns
- How has your sleep, diet and mood been recently?
- Don’t forget to let them know if you need an interpreter or if would help to have a family member present
- Do you have any other doctors letters or blood results you want to share with them
During your appointment
Ask your doctor if you need to take notes. We know that patients only take in a small amount of information during an appointment. This is why I always write to my patients after I’ve seen them. If your doctor doesn’t do this take a pen and paper with you and make sure that you take a note of key points.
Speak up at the end of the consultation if there is something that you haven’t covered that is important to you or you are unhappy. I would much rather hear that you are unhappy at the time and be able to do something about it than find out in feedback later.
After your appointment
If you do get a letter after your appointment take some time to read it through. Check the details are correct. If there is something that you disagree with get back in touch and clarify this.
If there was something that you were told that you would get (like further information or a referral) and you haven’t received it get back in touch with your doctor and ask what’s happened to it. We always try and give you what we promise but no human is perfect and you are the person in charge of your healthcare journey.