Questions to Ask at Doctors & Hospital Appointments Before you leave your appointment make sure you know the following: What might be wrong? You could ask the following questions: ● Can I check that I’ve understood what you said? What you’re saying is… ● Can you explain it again? I still don’t understand. ● Can I have a copy of any letters written about me? What about any further tests, such as blood tests, scans and so on? ● What are the tests for? ● How and when will I get the results? ● Who do I contact if I don’t get the results? About what treatment, if any, is best for you ● Are there other ways to treat my condition? ● What do you recommend? ● Are there any side effects or risks? ● How long will I need treatment for? ● How will I know if the treatment is working? ● How effective is this treatment? ● What will happen if I don’t have any treatment? ● Is there anything I should stop or avoid doing? ● Is there anything else I can do to help myself? What happens next and who to contact ●What happens next? Do I come back and see you? ● Who do I contact if things get worse? ● Do you have any written information? ● Where can I go for more information, a support group or more help? Top tips Before your appointment ● Write down your two or three most important questions. ● List or bring all your medicines and pills – including vitamins and supplements. ● Write down details of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse. ● Ask your hospital or surgery for an interpreter or communication support if needed. ● Ask a friend or family member to come with you, if you like. During your appointment ● Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t understand. For example, ‘Can you say that again? I still don’t understand.’ ● If you don’t understand any words, ask for them to be written down and explained. ● Write things down, or ask a family member or friend to take notes. Before you leave your appointment ● Check that: – you’ve covered everything on your list – you understand, for example ‘Can I just check I understood what you said?’ – you know what should happen next – and when. Write it down. ● Ask: – who to contact if you have any more problems or questions – about support groups and where to go for reliable information, and – for copies of letters written about you – you are entitled to see these. After your appointment, don’t forget the following ● Write down what you discussed and what happens next. Keep your notes. ● Book any tests that you can and put the dates in your diary. ● Ask: – ‘what’s happening if I’m not sent my appointment details,’ and – ‘can I have the results of any tests?’ (If you don’t get the results when you expect – ask for them.) Ask what the results mean. Download The Questions to Ask at Doctors & Hospital Appointments Factsheet To find out more about the ISG or become a member please get in touch in one of the following ways: By Phone 0800 368 9621 By Email: [email protected] Facebook: facebook.com/ichthyosissupportgroup Twitter: twitter.com/ISG_Charity Manage Cookie Preferences