The Doctor Will See You Now

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

A typical visit to the GP lasts around 15 minutes, which is not very long. You don’t want to leave feeling like you haven’t covered everything – here’s how to get the most out of a visit to your doctor.

• Be on time. Yes, there’s a good chance you could be kept waiting because GPs often seem to be running behind, especially if your appointment is at the end of the day, but if you’re late, you could miss your slot and disrupt the doctor’s busy schedule. You don’t want your session to be rushed when you finally get to see them.

• Be prepared. Time is very precious during these appointments and it can help if you note down details such as what your issue is, when it started, whether the symptoms have changed and what makes you feel better – or worse. Don’t forget to also jot down any questions you have – it’s easy to forget them when you’re in the doctor’s surgery.