How To Make The Most of Your GP Appointment: Ask, Understand and Feel Heard
Do you ever leave your GP appointment with more questions than you had when you went in?
As a nurse working in the community setting for over 14 years, I’ve seen a lot of people. And in many cases, I’ve had to play detective – helping people make sense of what their GP might have meant during their appointment.
Yes, it might be an issue of insufficient time, but in many cases, I’m also hearing that people feel too embarrassed to ask clarifying questions or in their words, ask “silly questions”.
Despite the mainstream healthcare system working hard to shake its paternalistic approach, this says a lot about how we still view the doctor-patient power dynamic.
How easy do you find it to ask a health professional what you consider a "silly question"?
Here are some comments I hear often:
“When I speak with the specialist, it can all go over my head…”
“They use all this jargon”
“She said she was going to discharge me but I didn’t understand how they could when I still had this symptom…”
“They can’t always find an interpreter, so we get by somehow”
“I didn’t want to take up his time”
The problem with these scenarios is that it leaves a vacuum of unanswered queries which can leave the person feeling misunderstood, dismissed, confused or even anxious. This can have huge consequences.
Patient Safety Always Come First
The number one risk when patients feel unable to raise valid questions, is safety. Without clear communication, things can go wrong. For example:
The person might not fully understand the follow-up plan or understand what referrals or correspondence to expect
The person may take the medication incorrectly – wrong dose, wrong timing and even wrong route
The person may not be aware of being diagnosed with a particular condition so not able to put in place necessary support or changes.
Feeling nervous, the person might forget what they wanted to ask the doctor in the first place altogether
And this affects everyone – young, old, confident, shy, fluent in English and not.
Staying Human
Recently, a patient I spoke with said something that really struck me.
“...but I don’t feel embarrassed asking or telling you. I feel relaxed being able to speak to you as more of a person instead of a nurse or doctor...”
This is a powerful reminder of just how important it is to keep human connection at the heart of consultations.
As professionals, we’re reminded time and time again to cut down on technical jargon and see the person in front of us. But the reality is that many people still leave consultations feeling unheard and sometimes frustrated.
A Carl Jung quote also sums this up nicely:
"Know all the theories. Master all the techniques. But as you touch a human soul, be just another human soul"
When people feel safe to speak openly, their understanding and health outcomes can improve greatly.
Tips To Get The Most From Your GP Appointment
Clear communication is KEY to safe, effective care.
Here are some simple pointers to get the most from your upcoming GP appointments:
1. Write It Down
Before your visit, note down the things you’d like to discuss with the doctor and outcomes you want from the visit. Take these notes with you to the appointment.
Also, feel free to write down notes as you discuss your concerns and plan with the doctor at the time.
2. Be Clear and Focused
It’s easy to go off track, especially if we’re being asked questions we might not expect. Trying to list your top most urgent issues can help you stay on track.
It helps to note:
What your symptom(s) are
How long you have experienced your symptoms for
How they affect your day-to-day life
Anything you have tried that has or hasn’t helped
What makes the symptom(s) better or worse
Why you have booked this appointment now
3. Be Honest
Even if it feels awkward, keep in mind that your GP has heard it all before and are not there to judge.
Without honesty, it’s difficult to build a full picture of what’s happening and could lead to misdiagnosis or delay treatment.
4. Take a Buddy
If it helps, take a trusted friend, family member or advocate with you to offer support or take notes.
5. Ask for an Interpreter
If English isn’t your first language or easy for you to communicate in, let the receptionist know you’ll need an interpreter. All NHS services should have the facility to provide a professional interpreting service. It is not your responsibility to bring a friend or family member to translate. This makes a big assumption that the person is happy to share their health information with others and denies them privacy and dignity.
6. Ask Follow-up Questions
Before the appointment ends, check you have understood everything and ask anything you’re unsure about.
You might ask:
What happens next?
Who should I contact if things get worse?
Who will I expect to hear from?
Do you have any written information I can take away?
What are the tests for?
When will I get my test results?
How will I receive the results?
Are there any other ways/options to treat this condition?
What are the possible side effects of this treatment?
7. Take a List of Your Medications
Even though the GP is likely to have a access to your records, it’s a good idea to jot down a list of all the medications, supplements and any herbal treatment you might be taking so that you can see them at a quick glance.
Medications dispensed in other countries or by other services might use different brands. If this is the case, it might be a good idea to take any medication or empty packaging with you to appointments for clarity.
Working in Partnership
Health professionals are meant to be partners in your healthcare, not someone you feel daunted by. When both sides communicate clearly and openly, appointments are more effective and safer.
Having clarity at this stage can make a huge difference. It moves us from confusion to confidence, and reduces the revolving door effect where patients return time and time again with unresolved issues. Taking the time to prepare, be open, and ask the right questions helps us to stay as active participants in our own health.