Health appointments can be overwhelming and a great source of anxiety - whether you're going to speak about your own health, or on behalf of a loved one. Visiting a GP, nurse or allied health professional can become a regular occurrence for some, so it is important that you feel equipped with the tools and tricks to advocate for yourself or your loved one with confidence. 

Simple tips can be employed to make the process less daunting and to better the outcomes of the visit. 

Here are a few suggestions from the team at Integral Care.

Preparing for the appointment

1. Bring a list of points with you that you want to discuss at the appointment. It can be difficult to recall these during your conversation so advisable to have some handy reminders or prompts.
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2. Bring a list of medications/dosages and allergies. This is particularly useful if you are consulting with a  health professional who is less familiar with you or your loved one.
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3. Ask for extended appointments with your GP, nurse, or allied health professional if there are a few issues to discuss.
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4. Enquire with your GP, nurse or health professional to see if they can offer home visits or telephone appointments if travelling to appointments isn’t possible.
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5. Ensure that the GP has you listed as your loved one's main carer/next of kin, and that consent has been given by your loved one to discuss health issues on their behalf.
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6. Request an interpreter if you need one. This is crucial to ensure that you are able to communicate with confidence and ease with your health professional. 
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7. Request for you or your loved one to be linked in with an allocated GP or health professional. This will promote continuity of care and avoid you having to retell your story over and over.

During the appointment

1. Arrive early and ensure you have adequate time to check in for your appointment. If you end up running late for your appointment you are less likely to get as much from the appointment, and this can also result in undue stress. 
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2. Lead the appointment with the most important issues to ensure that, if you run out of time, you have prioritised effectively. 
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3. Don’t be afraid to challenge or ask questions. It is important that you understand the information being provided. If you need something to be rephrased or described in simpler language, do not be afraid to ask the health professional.
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4. Evidence suggests that the average amount of information we retain following a health appointment is 40%. Jot down some key notes from the appointment and list down any medical terms you’re not familiar with to ensure you can recall these later.
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5. Ensure that the GP has you listed as your loved one's main carer/next of kin, and that consent has been given by your loved one to discuss health issues on their behalf.
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6. Be honest if you need support and if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed for any. reason.
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