Get the most out of appointments
Tips to ensure a productive doctor’s visit
Be honest. We know some things are embarrassing to talk about, but most of us love talking about poo or squeezing out pus.
How to make the most of your doctor appointment. The following are some tips: Write down your symptoms, how long you have had them for and any questions that you have and bring this to your appointment.
Be honest. We know some things are embarrassing to talk about, but most of us love talking about poo or squeezing out pus.
If you or your child are in pain, take a pain killer. Never withhold a pain medicine “so we can see how bad it is”. We will always believe you and it can help us to see how you respond to over-the-counter pain relief.
Bring a support person, especially if you are worried that you may not remember what was discussed.
Tell us beforehand if an interpreter needs arranging.
Bring your licence and glasses to your driving licence medical. Bring your Plunket book to your baby check.
If you don’t understand something we say, ask for clarification.
If you have several concerns, tell the doctor everything on your list up front. We can prioritise with you which is the most urgent issue to start with.
If you have several things to talk about, book a double appointment. This allows us to be thorough with each of your issues. If you have not
made a double appointment, please do not get upset if your doctor requests that you make a further appointment — we want to do our best by you and we cannot provide you with the care you deserve if things are rushed. After 15 minutes the next patient is waiting.
A medication review appointment is to ensure that the medicines you are on are still required, that doses don’t need to change, and that blood tests, screening (eg. mammograms) and immunisations are up to date. If you have other concerns that you want to talk about in a medication review appointment, please consider booking a double appointment.
If a doctor elsewhere has started you on a new medicine, please bring it with you or write down the name and the dose.
If it is likely that you will need examining, wear clothes that are easily to pull up/remove.
We are not dentists. We can help you with pain relief, but dental issues need to go to the dentist for best treatment.
ACC consultations. You may want to “register an injury with ACC just in case” — we still need to take a history of your injury, examine you and then complete the ACC paperwork. This takes time and cannot be tacked onto the end of another appointment if time has run out. Please say if you have financial concerns. If you have a Community Services Card we may be able to apply to WINZ for funding to help pay towards your appointments. Register for our patient portal, Health 365. That way you can book appointments, request prescriptions and see test results online. Expect us to respect and listen to you. In return please be kind to us.