Apparently pushy patients are more likely to be wrongly
diagnosed, because doctors have to use their energy dealing with problematic behaviour, rather than focusing on the medical matter. Your doctor only has 8-10 minutes to do some complicated decision-making, so here’s how to get the most out of your appointment.
Ask your GP questions
If you don’t understand something, always ask. Asking about other options is fine, if you’re worried about side effects – that’s far better than not taking what you’ve been prescribed. If your GP refers you for a blood test and you don’t understand why, ask because when you turn up at hospital they may not know. You and your doctor are a team, so you need full confidence in them.
Don't demand drugs
People can feel like if they don’t walk out of
a doctor’s surgery with a prescription, you haven’t done much, but we would prescribe medication if that was the best option. GPs feel under pressure to prescribe antibiotics, but we have a responsibility to safeguard not just your health, but public health, and over- prescribing antibiotics isn’t good for anyone because we’re becoming resistant to them.
Take someone with you
If you get flustered during GP appointments, take someone with you. They’ll help keep you calm and may mention things you wouldn’t. It never fails to amaze me that
I can ask a patient what treatment they’ve already received for a problem and they’ll say: “Nothing doctor,” then it transpires they were in hospital last week and are coming to the end of a course of antibiotics.
Know your family history
If you think you’re going through an early menopause, for example, ask your mum when she had hers. If you are getting piercing headaches, see if your mum or dad has suffered with migraines, too. Of course you may not be close to your parents, or they may not be around, but if they are – ask.
Be descriptive
Rather than saying “I’ve got back ache,” say I’ve had back pain since last Thursday, it’s worse first thing in the morning and a hot- water bottle helps. It’s a dull ache, not a sharp pain.” We’ll get to the answer much quicker.
Share your fears and concerns
I ask my patients what they think is wrong, because often it will reveal their fears. They might tell me their friend has breast cancer and they’re having chest pains and worry they may have it too. I can respond to those anxieties, examine them and reassure them.
If you’ve been online and suspect something, tell your doctor that – you might be right and, if you’re not, your GP can explain why.
If you get a diagnosis you’re unsure about, it’s OK to ask if there’s anything else it could be. When you train to be a GP you always have to come up with your top three diagnoses – never just one, even if it’s completely obvious.
Coming up with two more forces you to think about other things that are very similar, so you don’t miss anything. All you’re doing is asking your doctor for numbers two and three.
Take notes
To avoid forgetting something, write a little list beforehand. Take notes as you talk to your doctor, too. Ask them to write down the name of the condition they’ve diagnosed, then research it yourself online.
I often say to my patients: “This is what I think you have, read all about it and see if you agree,” particularly when it hasn’t been an easy diagnosis.
To avoid forgetting something, write a little list beforehand. Take notes as you talk to your doctor, too. Ask them to write down the name of the condition they’ve diagnosed, then research it yourself online.
I often say to my patients: “This is what I think you have, read all about it and see if you agree,” particularly when it hasn’t been an easy diagnosis.
Get clarification
At the end of a consultation, I always summarise what we’ve discussed and come up with a plan, so I’ll say: “We’ve prescribed antidepressants, and I’ve referred you for counselling – you’ll hear back about that within seven days and I’d like you to come back in a week to let me know how you’re feeling.”
If your GP doesn’t, ask them to explain the next steps.
Be assertive - not rude!
If you worry you aren’t getting better, or you think the diagnosis doesn’t feel right, chances are your doctor is feeling the same. Let them know your frustrations, but don’t be rude about it – doctors are only human!
It’s their job to make you better, and if they haven’t, you have every right to ask if there are others options, for a second opinion, or to see a specialist. You can also ask to see a different GP when you ring up for the appointment.
Be honest
If you didn’t take the tablets because you wanted to have a drink on your birthday, tell us. If you’re drinking too much, tell us. If you’ve taken drugs, tell us. The only information we have to go on is what you tell us.
What you say is confidential, and that information may be relevant to why you’re not well. We’ll have seen and heard it all before. Only once you’ve admitted what’s really wrong can we start to help.
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