From how to prepare for a health appointment to what questions to ask, read on for our tips & advice on how to confidently talk to a doctor or other health professional
When you need to see a doctor or other health professional about a health concern, it’s normal to feel worried about making sure you cover everything you need to during your appointment. After all, appointments usually have a set timeframe, and you may have a lot of questions or concerns about your symptoms. That’s why it’s a good idea to be prepared beforehand to help you feel more at ease and get the most out of your appointment.
Here, we share some tips to consider before, during and after your appointment to help you feel more confident talking to a doctor or other health professional.
Before your appointment
What to ask when booking your appointment
The first step in talking to a healthcare professional is making an appointment. This could be the first time you’re seeing someone about your health concern, or you may have already seen your local GP and are receiving further treatment or being referred on to see a specialist.
You may be asked for more information at the time of booking to ensure you’re given the right type of appointment. This is also a good time to raise any questions and extra considerations, such as:
• Asking for a longer appointment if you have lots of symptoms or a complex health concern to discuss
• Asking if you can bring someone with you, such as a family member or friend, for support
• Asking (or having someone else ask on your behalf) for an interpreter or support with communication, if required, such as if English isn’t your first language
• Asking if you can see someone of a particular gender if you would feel more comfortable doing so
If you’re not sure whether you definitely need to see a healthcare professional about your symptoms, you can ask your local Boots pharmacist for help. They can advise on whether your symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medicines or whether you should make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional. There are usually confidential spaces available where you can talk about your symptoms without being overheard.
Alternatively, you can ring NHS 111 for advice.
Make a list of your symptoms & any other relevant notes
Before your appointment, it can be helpful to make a list of your symptoms to take with you, including:
• What your symptoms are
• When your symptoms started
• If your symptoms come and go
• What makes your symptoms better or worse
If you feel you’d like to look up any symptoms beforehand, it’s best to use a reliable source such as the NHS website.
Be mindful that it may not always be helpful to look up symptoms and their associated health conditions as it could make you feel more concerned, especially if you have health anxiety. If this is the case, try to keep an open mind and focus on writing down how your symptoms feel to you, so you can explain everything fully to a health professional who can help provide an accurate diagnosis.
As well as noting down symptoms, it’s a good idea to make a list of questions to ask at your appointment. We share some ideas of useful questions to ask below.
Don’t forget to note down details of any medications you’re taking (if applicable) and any family medical history (if known) so you can bring these along to your appointment.
Leave enough time to get to your appointment
On the day of your appointment, make sure to leave enough time to fully prepare and get there without having to rush. Ensuring things go smoothly beforehand may help you feel more calm and set you up well for the appointment.
It might be helpful to wear loose, comfortable clothes, and if you need to bring something along to calm your nerves, such as a fidget spinner, don’t be afraid to do so.
During your appointment
When it’s time for your appointment, remember to go through:
• Your list of symptoms
• Details of medication you're taking (if applicable) and your family medical history (if known). Both of these are especially helpful for appointments that aren’t with your GP as other healthcare professionals won’t have this information
• Any questions you’d like to ask
What to ask at your appointment
There are many things you might want to ask at your appointment depending on the type of symptoms you’re experiencing, what stage of diagnosis you’re in, whether you need to have tests and if you’re going to be, or are already, receiving treatment.
Here are some examples to consider:
Symptoms
• What could my symptoms mean?
• What could help with my symptoms?
• What should I do if my symptoms get worse?
Tests
• How do the tests work and what are they for?
• Do I need to do anything to prepare for my tests?
• When will I get the test results?
Treatment
• How long will I need treatment?
• How effective is this treatment?
• Are there any side effects of this treatment?
Next steps
• What happens next?
• What should I do if I need support?
• Are there any support groups that can help me?
The NHS shares a helpful list of questions to ask your doctor or health professional for further examples of things to consider. There are also useful guides from British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support and Mind with questions to ask about specific conditions, which may be of use.
If you don’t understand anything you’re told in your appointment, don’t be afraid to say so and ask if it can be explained in a different way or written down if that helps.
You may find it useful to take a notepad so you can write things down during your appointment and refer back to it later.
And remember, no question is a silly question! Healthcare professionals are there to help and support you and will be happy to address any concerns you have or things you don’t understand.
Be prepared to answer questions from the healthcare professional
In order to get a full picture of your health concern and help provide an accurate diagnosis, a healthcare professional may ask you for more information during your appointment, such as:
• Details of your symptoms
• Details of your lifestyle
• Details of your medical history
Sometimes the questions might not feel relevant to what you’re experiencing, but it’s important to answer everything as best as you can to provide as much information as possible.
You might also have some general health checks done, such as having your blood pressure taken, or examinations related to your symptoms, but all of this will be on a case-by-case basis.
Be honest & open
When seeing a healthcare professional, don’t hold back any information, even if you think it’s not relevant, as this could be important in getting the right diagnosis. Try not to feel embarrassed about any of your symptoms either. Healthcare professionals will likely have treated many people with the same symptoms as you.
Keep an open mind when it comes to a diagnosis. But if you feel unhappy with the way your health concern has been addressed or you’d like a second opinion, it’s always best to raise this.
Be realistic with your expectations
You may not always get a diagnosis the first time you see a health professional, or you might require multiple appointments for tests and treatment. It can be helpful to go in with realistic expectations, so you’re not disappointed if a health concern isn’t resolved straight away.
Throughout the process, continue to ask any questions you have and use the advice above to help you feel reassured in your appointments.
After your appointment
Feeling confident in talking about your health doesn’t stop with your appointment. Here are some useful things to consider afterwards:
• Don’t forget to book any future appointments or tests you require and put these dates in your diary
• If you’re expecting results and you haven’t received them, make sure to contact the reception for an update
• If you receive results that you don’t understand, ask if the healthcare professional can explain these further
• If you need your results in a different format or you require an interpreter, ask a receptionist (or have someone ask on your behalf) for further support
• Continue to keep a note of your symptoms after your appointment in case anything changes or gets worse
• If you’re receiving treatment and you feel it’s not working, don’t be afraid to book another appointment, raise any concerns or seek a second opinion
Most importantly, remember that your health is a priority and healthcare professionals are there to support you throughout the whole journey.
