MAKE THE MOST OF 9 MINUTES!
My Weekly’s favourite GP Dr Sarah Jarvis from TV and radio writes for you
Nine minutes can seem like a long time, but in the average 9 minute GP consultation, it can go past in a flash. To make sure you don’t come away frustrated because you didn’t cover everything, try my top tips… Leave plenty of time. Some of myy patientsp gget frustrated
that we, like many practices, have a policy of not seeing patients who are more than 15 minutes late. That’s not because it affects the doctor – it’s because it delays every single patient coming after you. So do get to your appointment in time, or ideally 10 minutes early to allow for qu ueues at reception. Have H the facts at your y fingertips. To mmake the most of your tiime, write down a list oof relevant facts – when yyour symptoms started, wwhat you think makes tthem worse, any ttreatments you’ve ttried. If you’re talking about period problems, contraception or fertility, have details of period dates and problems. Time spend going through your diary can really eat into your appointment. Get to the point. Lots of my patients come in about things they find embarrassing. All too often, they talk about something completely different, and only pluck up courage to ask about their real concern at the end. The trouble is, by that time the doctor is going to be worrying about keeping the next patient waiting too long. They may ask you to come back and certainly won’t have time to cover the issue in detail. Don’t bring a list. Are you one of those people who saves up their queries and takes them all to the doctor at once? You may think you’re making your GP’s life easier, but appointment lengths can’t magically expand. If you have several problems, the doctor won’t be able to give all of them the time they deserve in one appointment. They may ask you to come back, and there’s also a risk of the problems not being covered in enough detail. Be prepared to be examined. There are three main parts to making a diagnosis – history, examination and investigation. If you have a problem in one knee, your GP will need to see both. If it’s a breast problem, they’ll need to examine from the waist up. And any low tummy or pelvic pain may well need a vaginal examination. Wearing
‘‘ TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE TIME AT YOUR APPOINTMENT, WRITE DOWN A LIST SYMPTOMS’’ OF RELEVANT FACTS AND
trousers, multiple layers or tight girdles means more time undressing and putting your clothes back on – and that’s time wasted. Show her anything, but don’t show her your teeth. Doctors are not dentists! I don’t know any more about tooth abscesses than you do. So your GP is unlikely to be able to make a firm diagnosis, and won’t know if you need antibiotics. Dentists can also spot worrying mouth conditions like possible cancer and refer you directly. Do you need a sample? If you have any problem related to your waterworks, the first thing your doctor will need is a urine sample. If you have to go out to do one, that takes time. And if you can’t produce a sample because you’ve just been to the loo, treatment may need to be delayed.
Have you had your blood test? Many medicines and conditions need regular blood monitoring. If you’re due for a blood test and haven’t had it, or the results aren’t back because you left it until the last minute, your doctor may need you to come back to discuss the results. Even if they do update your prescription, it will probably only be for, say, one month instead of six. Your appointment is for you. Please don’t bring a prescription that needs sorting for your husband to your appointment. It means your doctor will have less time for the problem you’re there about for yourself. If two of you need seeing, making two appointments means you’ll both get the time you need. NEXT WEEK: When to say goodbye to medication