HealthInfo Canterbury

Preparing for your doctor's visit

Kia whakatika ki tōu whakaritenga ki te tākuta

When you go to the doctor, sometimes it's hard to know what to say or ask. Planning for your visit and asking questions will help you understand more about your health and wellbeing and any treatment you need.

Your doctor, practice nurse and others included in your health care want you to ask questions to help you make decisions together.

There's a way to help you get all the information you need when you have an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional – it's called PLAN for better care:

• P stands for Prepare
• L stands for Listen and share
• A stands for Ask questions
• N stands for Note down what you need to do next.

Prepare for your visit

• Write down your main concerns or questions.
• Make a list of your medicines and any supplements you take. Also take along any documents that could be useful, such as your "yellow card" or hospital discharge letter if you have one.
• If it will help you, take a support person with you and ask for an interpreter (when you make your appointment, say you need an interpreter and allow at least 24 hours).

Listen and share

• Say if you don't understand and if a drawing could help.
• Say if you're having problems with your medicines or treatment or can't afford them.
• Tell your doctor or nurse anything else you can think of that might affect your health and wellbeing.

Ask questions

• What is my health problem?
• What happens next?
• Why is that important?
• Are there any other options?
• What can I do to help with my health and wellbeing?

Note down what you need to do next

Take a pen and paper so you can write down anything you need to remember. You can print this page and take it with you to help you remember what to do and ask.

At the pharmacy

If your doctor has prescribed medicine, you might want to ask these questions when you collect it from the pharmacy:

• What's the medicine for?
• What's its name?
• How and when do I take it?
• How long do I need to take it for?
• What could happen if I stop taking it?
• What are the side effects? What should I do if I get these?

Written by the Health Quality & Safety Commission. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2021.

Image courtesy of hyena reality at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Page reference: 134738

Review key: HIGPS-132164