Talking to a professional for the first time
We've all heard the horror stories - the doctor was running 45 minutes late or she seemed more preoccupied with the time then to what you were saying or you completely lost your mind and couldn't get a single word out! There are so many challenges but there are some things you can do to help be prepared. I guess in some ways it is not all that dissimilar to going on a first date!
So come along and share your tips (and your horror stories!) so you can be prepared for your next first appointment!!
See you tonight at 8pm (AEDST).
sometimes we forget that we have rights as a patient/health consumer and that we don’t have to accept everything that the professional does/tells us. What are some of those rights that you can think of?
As a health student I should know a few of these, haha!
- The right to see your file/ any correspondence about you between health professionals.
- The right to refuse treatment.
- I think making a complaint may be a right?
- Is being able to bring someone with you a right too?
Can't think of any others at the moment.
Making a complaint is definitely a right, here is the full list from our factsheet http://au.reachout.com/All-about-your-healthcare-rights
Your rights are:
to see qualified people and get good care
to be treated with dignity and respect
to have your health details kept confidential, unless they're required by law to pass something on. Find out more about confidentiality.
to not be abused, mentally or physically or discriminated against because of your age, gender, race, family status, sexual orientation or disability
services that recognise and work with cultural, religious, social and ethnic needs, values and beliefs
free emergency treatment at hospitals if you're an Australian citizen
you can bring someone you trust to support you at appointments
info on what services are available
Ahh thanks for the full list Sophie! I can't believe I forgot confidentiality! So obvious. They are all great things to keep in mind when going to see a health professional. 🙂
I'm looking forward to hearing your responses to this one!
What are some of the things that a professional might do that will make you turns you off instantly?
What are some of the things that a professional might do that will make you turns you off instantly?
Dismiss my concerns or act like I'm over-reacting would be the biggest ones for me for sure. Also disrespecting me (I'm struggling to describe this though... like poor communication with me?), or if I see unprofessional behaviour in the waiting room (i.e. in the radiologist a few weeks ago I saw the receptionists bitching about a client after they got off the phone - I won't be going back there after that!)
What are some of the things that a professional might do that will make you turns you off instantly?
The first time I went to my GP to tell him about some problems I've been having he sort of went weird on me haha. When I started crying he freaked out, prescribed me anti-depresents without asking further questions and couldn't wait to get me out of the door. That definitly turned me off talking to someone for a bit
What are some of the things that a professional might do that will make you turns you off instantly?
I don't like it if they act as if they know it all and won't really listen to what you have to say. Yes they may be the health PROFESSIONAL but I'm the professional on me. So I expect them to listen to what I have to say without jumping to conclusions.
I also hate it if they rush me! I booked an appointment so I don't expect to be rushed even if they are running extremely late! Funnily enough I would normally say running late would be a turn off but my psychaitrist consistently runs 30 minutes late - sometimes I think I should just rock up 30 minutes late every time I go (but knowing my luck the day I do that is the day he was running on time!).
Not running on time is so frustrating! -But, when I know that my Dr is good and I feel comfortable with her, I'm happy to wait around that bit longer. 🙂
I hate being rushed or made to feel as though I'm not being listened to or taken seriously.
Worth seeing a second time would be they are paying complete attention to me, listening and not judging. Make me feel comfortable and as though they want to listen/help. 🙂 I don't want to go see someone who is cranky and without a smile so, someone who is somewhat chatty and smiley. 🙂
That sounds awful!!! It concerns me the number of GPs who seem to be quite clueless on mental health issues!! They DO get training in this area but some are really, really clueless!
Welcome @dreamcatcher - what a valid point about rural areas! Definitely something to be aware of. Thankfully, a lot of psychiatrists and psychologists are opening their clinics to skype sessions now! Which I think is great!
We'll move on to the next question but keep those answers coming!!!
How do you prepare for a first appointment? What tips would you give to others who are just about to attend first appointments?
How do you prepare for a first appointment? What tips would you give to others who are just about to attend first appointments?
I sometimes like to write a list of what I want to talk about so I don't forget anything. I also sometimes talk to my family and friends about my nerves and what I to expect (esp. if they have seen the same professional before). Tips? Maybe do some online research about the profession of the person you're going to see to get an idea of what to expect, and try to relax :). Oh and don't be afraid to try someone else if you don't feel comfortable.
So, I kinda touched on this already but, sometimes we forget that we have rights as a patient/health consumer and that we don’t have to accept everything that the professional does/tells us. What are some of those rights that you can think of?
Great tips dd! Love the tip about going in with an open mind!! 🙂
sometimes we forget that we have rights as a patient/health consumer and that we don’t have to accept everything that the professional does/tells us. What are some of those rights that you can think of?
Since I've been working at ReachOut.com I've learnt from young people lots of good techniques for preparing for first appointments! Stuff like, making sure you know where you are going, researching about what that type of professional does, knowing what your rights are etc
These factsheets might help you prepare:
http://au.reachout.com/All-about-health-professionals
http://au.reachout.com/All-about-your-healthcare-rights
And this oooooold thread: http://forums.au.reachout.com/t5/Getting-Help/First-time-seeing-a-counsellor/m-p/4250#M60
Hey guys!!
Welcome to tonight's Getting Real session! Sophie and I will be leading the discussion tonight and we look forward to an education conversation!
Tonight we are discussing "first appointments". We are not restricting the topic at all to any "one" type of appointment so feel free to come in with experiences in first appointments in any health professional area! Many first appointments are very similar anyway!
We look forward to hearing your thoughts about how to deal with anxiety surrounding first appointments and what some of your experiences have been in the past. So take a seat in this comfy waiting room (for once, NOT full of sniffling, coughing children) and join in the conversation!!!
Of course normal rules apply - check out the guidelines here and if anything upsets you tonight remember there is the emergency help button up the top right of the screen.
To start us off tonight…
Have you been to any first appointments lately? What about in the past? Which were the scariest?
I went to see a counselor a few months back for the first time and it scared me because I wasn't sure what to say or what the counselor would say about what I had to say.
I haven't actually been to any first appointments lately... Although I am going to see a new GP on Wednesday! So this topic is so relevant to me!
@Sophie-RO , I actually adore my dentist! I saw him a couple of weeks ago and it was great. He is so friendly and we always have a big chat about his two cute little daughters and he shows me photos!
The toughest first appointment has probably been my current psychiatrist, but that was a few years ago now. Always hard to open up to someone new!
Have you been to any first appointments lately? What about in the past? Which were the scariest?
I went to a first physio appointment a little while ago :). That wasn't too scary though because I'm an OT student and I'm pretty across what physios do. I agree with Soph, I hate the dentist too! I had an appointment with a new dentist, not my regular, a little while ago, and that was scary because I hate the dentist and the dentist I normally see is the same one I've seen since I was 5!
And then there were 3!!
DD: Yes, I'm glad I have an ally in dentist-fear! Though its not that uncommon I guess....
I wonder if its more worrying to see someone where you have to talk more about whats going on rather than show them (like a physio can sort of feel whats happening to your body. Is that true or am I making that up?)
