Being prepared for your doctor’s appointment can help you make the most of your time and ensure that you leave feeling confident about the next steps in managing your condition.
It can be useful to spend some time beforehand preparing for the appointment by thinking about the things you wish to discuss or questions you want to ask. Write a list to take in with you – either on paper or on the notes app of your mobile phone.
If you are expecting a lot of information to be discussed and you are worried about how you might feel or how you will remember it all, take a support person with you. They can listen, make a note of key points from the discussion or help you ask your questions if you forget.
If you don’t understand something your doctor said, ask them to explain again, you don’t want to leave the appointment wondering. Even if you feel you have understood all the information, you could ask your doctor to summarise the next steps or actions for you to take, including whether you need to make a follow up appointment.
When there are multiple issues to discuss with your GP, you could request a longer appointment, so you feel you have the time for your needs to be addressed.
Questions you can ask your healthcare professional
Below are some ideas of questions you may find helpful when thinking about what to ask your treating healthcare team. Depending on your personal circumstances, some of these questions may be more relevant to you than others. Take your time to reflect on what would help you feel more informed about your condition and its management.
Diagnosis
- What tests will I undergo?
- Why am I having these?
- Do I need to pay for these tests?
- Are there any risks in having these tests?
- How will I get the results?
- Can I get a printout of the medical terms used during my appointment?
Treatment / Management
- What is the goal?
- Who should I contact with problems?
- What do I do if I get worse or have a flare-up?
- How often will I need follow up?
- Can you provide me with a written summary of my treatment plan or a written action plan?
- How much will the treatment cost?
Support
- What exercise should I do?
- How can I manage my day-to-day symptoms?
- I feel down. Who can I talk to?
- Am I eligible for a palliative care referral and what support is involved in that?
For more information on preparing for medical scans and tests you can read our blog on Scanxiety: Managing the emotional impacts of medical scans or tests.
