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The inCapitalHealth pre-med
“Planning is everything”, and planning for your medical consultation is no exception. A small amount of time taken in advance of your appointment will improve the chances that both you and your doctor get all the information needed to provide the best service, and it will save time in the long run.
The point is that many aspects of modern medicine change rapidly and it is therefore important that you are properly informed and feel a genuine part of the healthcare decision making process. You have choices – and these should be discussed. You do not want to leave the meeting worried in case you have not asked everything. Or, if you have forgotten something, or have further questions – is there an effective means of communicating after the appointment has taken place?
Here is some basic help in preparing for the appointment to ensure that you are intellectually involved and get the most from your consultation:
THE inCapitalHealth CONSULTATION CHECKLIST
Before you see the doctor or consultant,
Do your homework and read the latest articles in inCapitalHealth and other authoritative texts. Familiarise yourself with the latest diagnostic and treatment approaches. If you have any medical history or previous diagnostic reports such as X-rays, pathology and MRI reports, it might be helpful to take them with you.
… and then note down:
a) Your symptoms and how long you have had them
b) How you feel and does this vary over a 24 hour period
c) Any medication you are already taking
d) Is there any particular treatment that you feel might be appropriate and would like to discuss?
e) What are your expectations? What you are hoping for from any available treatment?
The inCapitalHealth pre-med checklist of questions you might want to ask (nb this list is for general guidance and help only, it will vary according to personal circumstances and is far from exhaustive):
- What do you think is wrong? Can you be specific? What do you think is the diagnosis?
- Are test(s) required? When will they be done? Do you have access to all the latest diagnostic facilities?
- Why are tests necessary?
- How / when do I get the results and what are the implications?
- Treatment options – have we explored all potential options?
- Can I avoid surgery?
- What treatments might be appropriate for me and why?
- Can I compare the relative risks and benefits of the options?
- Do I need a referral or second opinion?
- Who specialises in the preferred treatment options / who are the relevant experts?
- What track record can the specialist demonstrate and what is the success rate and post-operative infection rate?
- What’s the next step?
- Where can I get more information? Is there a charity or support group I can contact?
- Is there any lifestyle change needed / what else can I do for myself?
- Who should I call if I start to feel worse?
- What is the post-treatment plan, and what help will be available?
In Summary
Are you happy that you have an accurate diagnosis, and if so are you aware of all the treatment options and what might be most relevant and / or appropriate for you? Will you be in the hands of the best medical team? And will they be there to provide you with any required follow-up?
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