Doctors are some of the busiest professionals on the planet, so if you’re lucky enough to actually get an appointment, make sure you make the most of your time in the patient’s chair. In order to make the most of your GP visit, it’s best to prepare for your appointment well in advance. Informing the surgery nurse or receptionist of the issues you want to discuss, including any concerns or symptoms you may be experiencing, will ensure that any necessary treatments will be actioned straight away.

Timing

Don’t be pressured into taking an appointment time if it does not suit your schedule. The more you’ve got on your mind when attending a doctor’s appointment, the more you’ll forget to tell your GP. When making an appointment, try scheduling it directly before or after work. This way, your symptoms will be fresh in your mind, and you’ll be able to provide your doctor with all the information he needs to devise a treatment.

Topics

From clinical trial supplies to hair loss, your GP will have heard every topic of medical discussion under the sun. Many people make appointments with their doctor but fail to accurately describe their symptoms during the visit. In order to get the most out of your trip to the GP, make a list of topics that you want to discuss, including any changes to your health since you last visited.

Include reductions in weight, if any, and also any sudden aches, pains or skin ailments. These symptoms may not seem much at the time, but only your doctor will be able to tell you whether you’re experiencing something that needs to be further examined.

The state of your emotions is also very important to your doctor, so remember to describe your overall sense of wellbeing. A sudden change in emotion could be unnoticed aftereffects of medication or a number of other chemical influences, so it’s best to be open and honest with your GP.

Family Medical History

Before you head off to your doctor’s appointment, you should try doing a little research on your family’s past medical history. Informing your doctor of any major illnesses in your family tree will leave them better equipped to diagnose your condition, and it could help to determine treatments for your children in the future.

Treat Surgery Staff with Courtesy

You may be grumpy, tired, ill and full of the flu, but that doesn’t mean that you have to take it out on the staff at your GP’s surgery. Least you forget, the staff are there to help you, so please be polite and courteous no matter how you’re feeling.

Understand Your Doctor’s Orders

Your doctor’s orders have to be followed to the letter if you’re going to get better, so make sure you remember everything they say. If it’s a long list of instructions, get your GP to email you your treatment so you can follow it step by step. Once your treatment is finished, make follow-up appointments with your GP to monitor your health.

This article was written on behalf of the pharmaceutical development services company.