What happens in a typical GP appointment?
Appointments last around 10 minutes. During the appointment your GP will ask you questions about your health. Try and be as honest as possible with your GP.
They will have your past medical history (i.e. of major illnesses), operations and current medication on the computer.
Give them as much detail as you can about how you are feeling and what your symptoms are. It is especially important to state clearly when the symptoms started and what makes them worse or better.
If it a face-to-face appointment (not virtual, i.e. on the telephone), they may examine part of you. So its good to come in loose clothes.
Agree a plan
All of this will help them decide: a. what is the diagnosis (what is wrong with you), and b. what they can do to help you.
A GP could:
- Prescribe (or change) medication
- Refer you to a hospital consultant (specialist). About 1 in 20 patients they see are referred to the hospital
- Refer you to a talking therapy service
- They could also give advice on non-treatment options that can improve your health such as:
- How to reduce stress
- How to get better sleep
- Exercise
- Nutrition.
End of appointment
It is important to know what you should do if the symptoms do not get better within an agreed time period. Ask.
Summary
We have described what happens in a typical GP appointment. We hope it has been helpful.
