8.1 HANDS ON CONSULTING A DOCTOR TO DO NOT TO DO Prepare information about your symptoms and medical history in advance. Use clear and specific language to describe your symptoms. Ask questions if something is not clear. Be honest and transparent about your symptoms and lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor's instructions and ask for alternatives if necessary. Ask for clarification on medications, dosages, and side effects. Bring any recent medical documents or tests with you. Do not arrive unprepared or without essential information. Do not minimise symptoms or omit important details. Do not hesitate to ask for explanations for fear of disturbing. Do not hide information for embarrassment or fear of judgment. Do not stop a treatment without consulting your doctor. Do not take medications without knowing the instructions well. Do not forget important documents that could help the diagnosis. Role-play PROBLEM Exercise 1: A patient goes to the family doctor for a persistent health problem Exercise 2: A parent takes their child to the paediatrician for a health problem Promote clear and effective communication with your doctor Collect useful information for your health Make sure you understand the diagnosis, treatments, and recommendations Develop a relationship of trust with your healthcare professional Avoid misunderstandings that could compromise your treatment AIMS Location: doctor's surgery Characters: doctor, patient Case-study: a patient goes to the doctor because he has been suffering from frequent headaches, sometimes severe, for months. The doctor asks him some questions to better understand the type of pain and the possible causes, discovering that it could be linked to stress, lack of sleep, and prolonged use of electronic devices. As a solution, the doctor suggests performing some tests to rule out specific causes and advises the patient to rest more and reduce screen time. The patient feels more at ease knowing that the problem will be investigated further. EXERCISE 1 Location: paediatric clinic Characters: paediatrician, parent Case-study: the parent takes the child to the paediatrician because the child has had a fever for four days (sometimes above 39°C), shows signs of tiredness and loss of appetite. The doctor asks about the symptoms and discovers that the child also has a bit of a cough and is drinking less than usual. After evaluating the situation, the paediatrician hypothesises flu but wants to rule out other causes. As a solution, he recommends continuing with the paracetamol and keeping the child well hydrated, asking her to return if the fever does not improve within two days. The parent feels more at ease after the visit. EXERCISE 2 348 extrA