Quick answer
Before a general clinic appointment, write down your main concern, when your symptoms started, your current medicines and the questions you want to ask. Bring relevant health records and ask for clarification if anything discussed during the consultation is unclear.
Write down your main concern
Start with the reason you are seeking care.
Before the appointment, consider writing down:
- What symptoms or concerns you have
- When they started
- Whether they have changed over time
- What appears to make them better or worse
- Whether they affect your sleep, work or daily activities
- Whether you have experienced the same concern before
You do not need to determine the cause yourself. The purpose of these notes is to help the clinical team understand what you have been experiencing.
If you have several concerns, list them in order of importance. Let the clinic know when booking if you think you may need additional time.
Prepare a list of your medicines
Bring an up-to-date list of the medicines and health products you currently use.
This may include:
- Prescription medicines
- Medicines bought from a pharmacy
- Vitamins and supplements
- Herbal or traditional products
- Inhalers, creams, injections or eye drops
Where possible, include the name, dose and how often you take each item. You may also bring the original packaging or clear photographs of the labels.
Tell the clinician about any medicine allergies, previous reactions or difficulties you have had while taking medicines.
Do not stop a prescribed medicine before your appointment unless a qualified healthcare professional has advised you to do so.
Bring relevant health information
Previous records may provide helpful context, particularly if you are visiting the clinic for the first time.
Relevant information might include:
- Recent laboratory or screening results
- Hospital or specialist letters
- Vaccination records
- A list of existing medical conditions
- Details of previous operations or important treatments
- Home blood-pressure or blood-sugar records, if relevant
- Information about known allergies
You do not need to bring every medical document you have. Focus on information connected to your current concern or the purpose of your appointment.
Write down your questions
It is normal to forget questions once a consultation begins. Writing down two or three priorities can help you remember them.
Depending on the consultation, you might ask:
- What could the next step involve?
- Do I need any tests or follow-up?
- How and when will I receive my results?
- What changes should prompt me to seek further care?
- Is there anything I should avoid or monitor?
- Who should I contact if I have questions later?
If a word or explanation is unclear, ask the clinician to explain it differently. Understanding the plan is an important part of the consultation.
Let the clinic know about communication needs
Tell the clinic in advance if you require help communicating during your appointment.
For example, you may wish to ask whether language assistance is available or bring a trusted family member or friend for support.
A support person may help you remember information or take notes. However, clinical discussions involve private health information, so choose someone you are comfortable having in the room.
During your consultation
Begin with your most important concern and describe it in your own words. Mention relevant symptoms, health conditions, medicines and allergies.
Be open about information that could affect your care, even if it feels personal or uncomfortable. The clinician needs accurate information to assess your individual situation.
Before leaving, check that you understand:
- What has been discussed
- Whether any tests or follow-up are recommended
- How you will receive results
- What you should do next
- When you should seek further help
It can be useful to repeat the plan in your own words: “Can I check that I have understood correctly?”
