How to become more involved in your healthcare.

There are very good reasons for being involved in your healthcare journey. You are more likely to comply with a health plan or regime and ultimately be more satisfied with decisions that are made.

Good preparation, active discussion, shared decision making, and taking responsibility for keeping abreast of your health history are key to giving you more control of your healthcare journey.

Let you doctor know that you are interested in taking an active role in your healthcare. If you find this a difficult subject to raise, an easy was to do this is to ask about the patient portal. The patient portal gives you secure online access to view your own health information, increasing your ability to manage your own health care. Not all practices utilise this service, but uptake is increasing and it is likely to be widespread in the future.

Be well prepared prior to the visit.

• If you have complex or quite concerning issues to discuss with your doctor you may want to arrange to have a member of your family/whanau or a friend for support. Two sets of ears are usually better for remembering what was discussed.

• Ask the practice manager to note any important religious or cultural beliefs you have.
• Advise the practice, before you visit if you have cold or flu like symptoms.

Write down and take a list with you of:

• your symptoms and how long you've had them,
• any medication you are currently taking (prescribed or otherwise), noting the dose and how often you take it, or bring the bottles (Your medication might be different to what your doctor believes you are talking.),
• any questions you want to ask (it’s easy to forget them once you’re in the room).

During the consultation:

• If your doctor/GP does not already know about your medical and family history, tell them. It is important information for them to know about.

• If you’re having problems at home, are under financial pressure, have housing problems, managing addictions etc. then you may not be in the best place to take on or follow through on what the doctor is telling you. Health professional need to take these into account when working with you, so tell the doctor, social worker or practice nurse at the beginning of the consultation if issues like these are concerning you.

• Be truthful about your symptoms, any changes with other conditions. You might feel embarrassed, ashamed, frightened or nervous, etc., however, remember the doctor is a professional; you can talk in confidence. (It’s likely that they have heard it all before. Knowing this can help you distance yourself from those feelings that might hold you back.)

• Tell them also what you know, suspect, or have found out about your condition. (Some people are very informed about their condition/s before they walk in the door.) Doctors/GPs understand that you may have ‘googled’ the symptoms and landed on a diagnosis which may of course, be wrong. Most doctors/GPs will appreciate that you want to be a participant in your care and will listen to what you say and then add their expertise and knowledge. This way you can work together more effectively.

• If you don’t think you have been understood properly, repeat it until you believe you have been heard.

• Before you agree to any service or treatment you should always be informed about your condition, tests, and treatments etc. that might be needed and the pros and cons of any options.

• You can ask about a possible referral to any specialist services e.g. diabetes management, skin clinic etc. Your doctor may or may not agree that this is necessary.

• If you have the financial resources, you may be able to self-refer to specialist services. You would have to pay privately.

• Let the doctor/GP know if you’re unhappy with any part of the consultation including any advice or treatment.

• Ask for a recap of what’s been discussed and/or decided so that you’re clear about what you need to do or what’s going to happen next, (if anything). Get clarification if necessary.

Finally:

• Telehealth or virtual consultations may be options for some people and some practices. If this type of consultation would work well for you, make enquiries.
• Remember doctors aren’t perfect. Like the rest of us they may need time to get things right for you.
• If you are dissatisfied with your doctors/GPs advice or treatment you can ask for a second opinion.

All health professionals want you to have as positive an experience from your contact with them as possible. Most will be doing their best to work with you to meet your needs.