Get the most out of your doctor’s appointment: quick tips

 Never get the LAST appointment, only as the last resort. Doctors are tired after all the consultations, I didn't make any decisions in my last appointments, as I was sure I was more likely to make a mistake!

 Prepare: The first step in effective communication is to prepare your message.. Identify your primary health concern, symptoms relevant to this concern, and the length / frequency / intensity of each symptom.

    Keep your explanation short. Less than 1 minute would be optimal, if it’s a doctor that you don’t know and you have a written summary of your previous medical history that would be great.

Communicate with purpose:  You need to have a GOAL, what do you want to have achieved when you leave the office?

Prepare questions. If you have question, write the down, and ask then after he/she has finished talking. Avoid questions that begin with “Why?” Why questions invite defensiveness. Why is my daughter sick? Why didn't they fix her at the hospital? Perhaps you want to know why this didn't happen, but this doctor even if he was involved in her care, won’t answer. If he was involved, he’ll be defensive, and if he wasn't he won’t know. Instead, ask collaborative questions: What do you recommend? What would you do if you were in my shoes? Do I understand that you want me to…? These questions  focus on problem resolution.