Before your appointment
- Write down your two or three most important questions.
- List or bring all your medicines and pills - including vitamins and supplements.
- Write down details of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- Ask for an interpreter or communication support, if needed.
- Ask a friend or family member to come with you,if you like.
During your appointment
- Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand. For example,'Can you say that again? I still don't understand.'
- If you don't understand any words, ask for them to be written down and explained.
- Write things down, or ask a family member or friend to take notes.
Before leaving your appointment
Check that:
- you've covered everything on your list
- you understand, for example 'Can I just check I understood what you said?'
- you know what should happen next - and when.
Ask:
- who to contact if you have any more problems or questions
- about support groups and where to go for reliable information, and
- for copies of letters writtern about you. You are entitled to see them.
After your appointment, don't forget the following
- Write down what you discussed and what happens next. Keep your notes.
- Book any tests that you can and put the dates in your diary.
- Ask what's happening if you are not sent your appointment details.
- Ask for the results of any tests and what they mean.
- You can view your records on line, if you have registered for this.
- You can book a telephone consultation with your doctor to discuss your test results.