The Doctor will see you now

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#808080" TEXT="#080000" background="044b8573.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>MEDI-MAIL</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MEDIMAIL"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="jobs26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Medical Information">Medical Information</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Swine Flu H1N1">Swine Flu H1N1</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Childrens health">Childrens health</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Travel Health">Travel Health</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs2b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Malaria">Malaria</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs2c.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vitamins">Vitamins</A>   |   <B>The Doctor will see you now</B>   |   <A HREF="jobs3d.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How much water does our body need?">How much water does our body need?</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tips">Tips</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Telltale signs of diabetes">Tell-tale signs of diabetes</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs4a.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NaturalMedicines">NaturalMedicines</A>   |   <A HREF="jobs4e.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Did You Know...">Did You Know...</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#808080" TEXT="#080000" background="045d2083.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="0925e370.png" border=0 width="94" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04605053.jpg"> <div> <I>The Doctor will see you now</I></div> <bR> <div> We list the top ten</div> <div> ways to get the most from your GP</div> <div> consultation. First up, be prepared</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0d3040d0.png" border=0 width="1028" height="13" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> Thinking ahead may save you having to come back for an examination or tests.</div> <div> What should I do? </div> <div> Anticipate. For example, if you have waterworks trouble, take a specimen of urine with you as it can be tested on the spot. You also may need to be examined, so women with gynaecological problems should avoid appointments coinciding with their periods. And men with "embarrassing problems" should avoid character boxer shorts.</div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> you may just have to book another appointment.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0d4040d0.png" border=0 width="1028" height="13" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> Cutting it fine will add to your tension levels.</div> <div> What should I do? </div> <div> Being early will give you space to think through what you're going to say. A "settling-in" period is also useful if you're in for a blood pressure check; rushing in at the last minute will send it sky high. </div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> apologise for lateness and say — with a smile — that the doctor usually keeps you waiting.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0d6040d0.png" border=0 width="1028" height="13" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> It's helpful if you're getting important test results or there's going to be a lot to take in. What should I do? If you're seeing your doctor because of memory problems or funny turns, for</div> <div> example, input from a friend, relative or other "witness" may help the doctor enormously.</div> <div> If you mess up ... hand the doctor your mobile, having speed-dialled your key witness.</div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> It sages you and your doctor going down blind alleys. What should I do? Whether you think you need antibiotics, are terrified you've got cancer, want to see a specialist or are after a sick note, say so — early on. Your doctor may not agree with you, but this approach at least gives you both time to talk it through properly.</div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> you probably didn't. Failing to uncover your agenda is usually due to the doctor not letting you have your say.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0d8040d0.png" border=0 width="1028" height="13" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> Getting your story straight is vital, as most diagnostic clues are found in the information that you give to your doctor.</div> <div> What should I do? </div> <div> Rehearse what you're going to say. And remember that many of the doctor's questions will be predictable. For example, if you have a pain, he or she will want to know how long you've had it, where it is, what it feels like, whether anything makes it worse or better.</div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> you may have unneccesary tests because your GP won't have a clue what's going on.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0d904140.png" border=0 width="1028" height="20" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> You may think that they are key to your symptoms or treatment. But waving them at your GP has the "red rag to a bull" effect — he or she probably hasn't time to read it and knows there's a high chance that it's nonsense. What should I do? </div> <div> If you think the information really is useful, leave it for your GP's attention a few days before, with an explanatory note.</div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> stuff the material in your pocket and paraphrase.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0da040d0.png" border=0 width="1028" height="13" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> If you understand your diagnosis or treatment, you'll feel more confident about what's happening.</div> <div> What should I do? </div> <div> If he or she slips into medicospeak, ask for a Plain English translation.</div> <div> If you mess up : .. </div> <div> you will have to phone or go back to clarify things.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0db040d0.png" border=0 width="1028" height="13" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> Patients have problems remembering information given to them during consultations.</div> <div> What should I do? </div> <div> Ask for a patient leaflet or website on your condition. Or ask the doctor to write it down so that you can check it out later.</div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> phone back. Or make another appointment, taking a friend or relative.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0dc04170.png" border=0 width="1028" height="23" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> A picture can paint a thousand words. So a snap of an intermittent rash — which typically won't be there when you see your GP — may provide all the diagnostic clues needed. Audio can help, too: if you think your partner has sleep apnoea, get that snoring recorded. What should I do? Store the information on your mobile.</div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> Send it to the doctor as a text attachment.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0dd040d0.png" border=0 width="1028" height="13" ALT="Microsoft Office Word Document" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> How does it help? </div> <div> Killing two medical birds with one stone is an efficient use of time — but don't whip out a shopping list of problems. </div> <div> What should I do? </div> <div> Ask if any routine tests are due; measuring your blood pressure, arranging a cholesterol test or booking a smear takes seconds. It also may help your doctor score his or her "quality points".</div> <div> If you mess up ... </div> <div> don't worry. As most people visit their GP three or four times a year, you'll soon get another chance.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>