Getting on well with your doctor or nurse can make a positive difference to your health. Being prepared for your visit and thinking about what you want to get out of it will help both you and your GP (or any healthcare worker who you have an appointment with).
Some things may be hard to discuss – for example, if you smoke or drink a lot. But being honest with them can help you get the treatment that will work best for you.
The information you need from your GP depends on your condition. You might simply want to hear that your condition hasn't got worse, or you may need more medication. You may want general health advice or treatment for a new health problem. It could help if you:
- take someone you trust with you
- think carefully about what you want to get out of the appointment
- write down the questions that are most important to you
- think about how your health has been since your last appointment
- think about what you’ve done in terms of self care
- let the GP know before the appointment if you need a translator or someone else to help with any communication problems
- take your list of medicines with you
During the appointment, ask about anything you don’t understand. Ask for important words to be written down and explained, take notes or ask someone else to take notes for you.
If the doctor asks you to do something you’ll find difficult, feel free to say so. For example, you could say: “I know that taking these tablets is important, but I find it difficult to take them four times a day.” This gives the doctor a chance to solve the problem with you.
Questions you can ask your GP:
- Where can I find out about self-help courses for people who have long-term conditions?
- I want to find out more about my condition. What are the best places to do this?
- Is there any new equipment that might help me manage day-to-day. If so, how do I get it?
- How do I meet other people who have the same condition as me? Is there a local or national support group?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make to help my health, such as giving up smoking, avoiding certain foods, or doing more of a certain type of exercise?
- What are the results of my tests and what do they mean for me?
Once you have the answers to the most important questions on your list, check that you’re clear about the following:
- What happens next?
- What will you do?
- What will the doctor do?
If it helps, write these things down.
When you get home, spend some time thinking about the appointment, either alone or with the person who went with you. This is a good time to look back at how the appointment went. You could do this by asking a few questions:
- Did I get what I wanted out of the visit?
- What worked and what didn’t?
- What will I do differently next time?
It’s sometimes possible to print out patient information leaflets during the appointment for you to take home. You may also be given an Information Prescription that will give you information specific to you and your condition.
Further tips on how to get the most out of your appointment are available in a Questions to Ask leaflet, which you can read and print out from a computer.
Like everyone, doctors and other healthcare workers can have difficult days. To help patients in the best way possible, they need to be given the right information. They also need us to be honest about how we feel about the treatment they offer. Everyone benefits from helpful feedback, so if you feel that the appointment hasn't been useful, then say so.
