Navigating your GP appointment

The better you navigate your GP appointment, the better the health care experience will be. Whether it be a long-term condition or a new concern with their health, getting the most from our GP is key. Here are some comprehensive tips to help make your time count at your Extracellular GP appointment:

Before the Appointment

Assess Urgency

Decide whether your health problem needs immediate attention or whether you can wait for a particular GP who has your history. It is often an advantage to see the same doctor for ongoing issues. Extracellular’s health professional team is small, so you usually see the same person when accessing our services.
Please note that we do not deal with medical emergencies, so we would advise ringing NHS111 or 999 if the problem is life-threatening.

Prepare Your Concerns

Write down your symptoms, concerns, and questions you would like to ask. That will help you remember to discuss the most essential things during your visit. Be clear about your symptoms: state what symptom you have, how long you have had it, how often it happens or comes and goes, and what, if anything, seems to relieve it or make it worse.

Consider a Longer Appointment

Appointments with the clinicians at Extracellular are available for either 20 or 30 minutes. If you have many issues you would like to discuss, please note appointment length when booking in and prioritize which problems are most important. You may require more than one appointment to discuss all your issues. Longer appointments allow more time to discuss each issue raised without feeling rushed.

Medications and Past Medical History

As we cannot access your complete medical record at Extracellular, please bring in a list of all medicines you take, substitute, and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you may be taking. Note also your allergies or any previous medical treatments that may apply to your condition.

Gather Relevant Information

Please bring any relevant medical records, test results, or letters from specialists, if applicable. This will give our doctors a better perspective.

During the Appointment

Prioritisation of Issues

You will be able to address the more pressing concerns first. At the start of the appointment, you clearly state your main concerns so that you can ensure they are discussed. The physician may spend the time addressing a more medically pressing concern and then recommend setting up another appointment to discuss the remainder of your concerns.

Be Open and Honest

Provide your doctor with all information, even the uncomfortable ones. Honesty about lifestyle habits, symptoms, and concerns will help pinpoint a diagnosis and treatment.

Understand the Plan

Also, ensure you understand your treatment plan before leaving the appointment. If you do not understand something, ask for an explanation; if necessary, write it down. Confirm follow-up actions, including tests, referrals, and lifestyle changes.

Support

If possible, bring along a friend or family member for support. They can help you remember the doctor’s advice and provide emotional support during the appointment.

After the Appointment

Follow-up

If you are unsure or have any other questions after your appointment, then be in a position to know who to speak to. You can contact our Extracellular team via email at [email protected], and we will forward your query to the applicable health professional. Do not be daunted if you must stop and ask for information to be repeated or clarified.

Follow the Treatment Plan

Follow the treatment plan discussed, including taking medication as instructed and attending follow-up appointments or tests ordered. Observe symptoms and changes in condition.

Provide Feedback

Discuss your concerns with our staff if you are unhappy with the service. Constructive feedback will help us improve the service for you and other patients. Please use our compliments/complaints forms on the website to give us feedback. Our complaints policy is available on request.

Share Your Experience

Being a small business, we rely heavily on word of mouth and client testimonials to promote our business and help us achieve our vision of offering a complementary health service to as many people as possible. If you’re happy with our service, please take a moment to send your testimonial to [email protected], describing your experience of the service, how it has benefited you, and why others should use Extracellular. This can be anonymous or used only with first names or initials.

Stay Informed

Educate yourself about your condition and available treatment options. Reputable sources of information will better prepare you to make educated decisions about your healthcare. We can send you links or advice sheets to support and reinforce our advice.

Conclusion

However, preparing for your appointment with an Extracellular GP and participating actively in how it should go will provide a better and more satisfactory experience. This will prepare you to take responsibility for your health and provide a footing for the proper relationship with us here at Extracellular. To book an Appointment, please click here

THANK YOU

We appreciate your commitment to reading about getting the most out of your GP Appointment.

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Disclaimer: Our blogs are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult us at ExtracellularTM or your doctor for further advice.