PATIENT PREPAREDNESS GUIDE: MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR NEXT SPECIALIST CONSULTATION

Article Updated on 26th June 2023

One of the key aspects of resolving health issues is effective communication with your doctor. Communicating with your GP, whom you see regularly, might be seamless. However, when it comes to seeing a specialist, communication may not be as easy. Preparing for a specialist’s appointment is a well-known strategy for improving patient-doctor communication that tends to promote a better prognosis including, faster recovery rates, less time spent in the hospital, improved pain tolerance, and enhanced functionality.

The following article aims to explore patient-doctor communication, highlighting the key factors and methods that would help the patients to prepare better and ask the right questions.

Tips to Prepare Yourself for a Consultation with The Specialist

A specialist is often busy. Hence, owing to the time crunch, chances are you might miss out on divulging important medical details when you go for a visit. Some medical practices ask their patients to fill out forms with checklists that highlight their symptoms and streamline the consultation. It can be useful to ask for such a form beforehand in order to be better prepared for the appointment, as it allows you to identify your symptoms and complaints, as well as focus on what needs to be prepared. If your healthcare provider does not have a checklist available, you can create your own. The below guide will help you to prepare better for a specialist consultation.

• Keep your medical records handy: Collate all medical records, such as test results, imaging reports, and notes from prior consultations. Also, keep a record of your detailed medical history such as any past surgeries, chronic conditions, and allergies. This will give the specialist in-depth knowledge of your medical background.
• List down your symptoms: Note down your symptoms in as much detail as possible such as the date of onset, progression, and any patterns or triggers you have noticed.
• Additionally, make a note of any questions you may have for the expert. This will help you stay focussed and have all your queries answered.
• Make a list of all current medications: List down all the prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including any dietary supplements you are on. Also, make a note of each medication's dosage and administration schedule. This will make it easier for the specialist to assess and modify your existing treatment plan as needed.
• Bring someone along for support: You could consider bringing along a friend or family if you feel overwhelmed or concerned about the appointment. They can support you emotionally, take notes, and help you remember vital information provided during the appointment.
• Be open and honest with the doctor: Speak freely about your symptoms and concerns when you see the doctor. Ask any queries you may have and be as specific as you can. Effective communication is crucial to guarantee you the best care.

Communication lays the foundation for the patient-doctor relationship and the final treatment outcome. Let us briefly review why the patient-doctor relationship matters. 

How Important is the Patient-Doctor Relationship and Why?

Many problems can arise during diagnostics and treatment as a result of poor communication between patient and doctor, and often a patient’s preferred choice of doctor will depend on their style of communication.

Patient Involvement is as Important as the Doctor’s Social Skills. Doctors are trained to communicate effectively with patients to gather accurate information, deliver diagnostic news with minimal negative impact, and improve patient adherence to protocols. Despite this training, the contributions of the patient can substantially affect the quality of the consultation. The physician can only make decisions based on the information the patient provides, not all of which is based on clinical signs, symptoms, imaging, and test results.

Benefits of a Good Patient-Doctor Relationship. Several studies have reported that a good patient-doctor relationship improves patient satisfaction and encourages better information sharing and protocol adherence. Patients that agree with their doctor engage actively in the recovery process. They take the initiative in asking questions and contributing towards treatment decisions and are more likely to have a better outcome.

Why Specialists May Require Extra Patient Preparation. Most patients have a good relationship with their regular GP, who they have consulted with for many years. This kind of familiarity is not present when a patient is referred to a specialist for the first time, an experience that is often nerve-wracking. Consultation anxiety is one of the main barriers to effective communication between a patient and a specialist. This is often heightened by the need for an in-depth diagnosis, anticipation of bad news, and receiving specialized treatment that tends to be more expensive. A specialist may also hold a more authoritative stance than the patient’s regular doctor, which can further impede progress. For these reasons and more, preparing for a specialist consultation beforehand can be a useful tool for making the most of the appointment.

What Should You Ask The Specialist?

When visiting a specialist, ask as many questions as you can in detail to learn more about your condition and the treatment plan. Mentioned below is a list of questions that can help you personalize your own questionnaire for the doctor:

• What is the diagnosis of my condition?
• Could you explain my blood work and other imaging reports?
• Do I need more medical tests to confirm my condition or to probe further?
• What could have possibly led to my condition?
• What would be the line of treatment for my condition? What other treatment options do I have?
• What is the success rate of the recommended treatment?
• What are the benefits and risks associated with all the treatment options I have?
• What is the expected duration of the treatment?
• How soon can I start feeling better?
• Are there any lifestyle adjustments or diet modifications that might help?
• What are the potential side effects of the medication that I have to take?
• What should I do in case I face side effects or complications from the drugs?
• What would be the next step if the recommended medication fails?
• What should I do if my symptoms get worse or new symptoms arise?
• Can I learn more about my condition online? Could you also direct me to any educational material that I can read to learn more?
• Is there a chance that my condition might lead to long-term effects or complications?
• How would my progress be monitored? How often do I have to come for follow-up appointments?
• Will I be totally cured? What are the chances that the symptoms will recur again?
• Can I take any preventive measures to minimize my risk of getting the symptoms again after recovery?

The ones listed above are a few general questions that you may ask your specialist. Depending on your ailment and diagnosis, feel free to ask any relevant questions you might have. A number of questions might also come up during the course of your consultation.

The specialist will likely navigate the consultation by asking a series of focused questions. This is one main reason why it helps to prepare questions beforehand for the doctor, as it keeps the consultation streamlined, promotes better synergy, lessens discouragement, and decreases stress. 

Conclusion

The patient-doctor relationship is foundational to success during the consultation, yet it is often taken for granted by the patients. When seeing a specialist, communication may not be as straightforward in the beginning. Patient participation is required yet often hampered by the specialist’s authoritative approach and the patient’s expectations. Prior planning that helps the patient to ascertain their health goals and consultation expectations, and address health-related queries can greatly improve their ability to navigate the appointment in a focused manner.

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Sources:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096184/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8077096/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20969556/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724137/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5290294/
• https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/be-magazine/advice/preparing-for-your-appointment-with-a-specialist/
• https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-should-i-ask-my-doctor-during-checkup
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patients/information/questions-to-ask-your-doctor
• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/questions-to-ask-your-doctor

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