Get more out of meetings with your doctor

Living with multiple morbidities (diseases) means a lot to keep track of. By staying prepared, you can get more out of the conversation and greater peace of mind. Here, we look at some good advice before, during and after your meeting. Good preparation should start a few days in advance. Good questions rarely come to mind at the very moment you need them. Write down what you would like to talk about. Make a list of the most important topics and questions you have thought of. Make written notes as you go, for example on your phone or a notepad. Review your notes before the appointment. Perhaps you can condense multiple questions into one to make the best use of the time. If you have multiple morbidities it may also be a good idea to prepare a short sentence about your overall situation. For example: ‘In addition to this condition, I also have…’ Start with a brief description of your illness. Use your written notes and say, for example, ‘I would like to have time to talk about…’ You're also welcome to ask other questions such as: ‘What is your assessment of my situation?’ ‘What happens now?’ Finally, ask for an overall summary so as to get the greatest benefit from your conversation. When you get home, it’s a good idea to write down your plan right away so it's easier to remember later what has been agreed. If you have many agreements, you can collect them in one place. This gives you an overview and peace of mind for other things in your everyday life. Give yourself plenty of time for transport and finding your way. A short break before the conversation can help you to stay calm. You can also bring a relative along with you. It can be good to have two people listening to what is said. If it is difficult for you to attend in person you can talk to the department about the possibility of a video meeting. If your conversation is a video meeting you can find good advice in the leaflet on effective video meetings. You can find the link below this video. Remember: your knowledge of your own situation is important. When you’re well-prepared it will be easier to get answers to what matters to you.