Appointment day—the tip of an iceberg
BMJ 2018; 360 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k430 (Published 14 February 2018) Cite this as: BMJ 2018;360:k430- Anya de Iongh, BMJ patient editor
- adeiongh{at}bmj.com
To you, my appointment might just be another slot in a hectic day. My perspective is different. As a person with long term conditions, my one hospital appointment a year with a consultant is an important event, with a build-up, an aftermath, and a barrage of emotions.
D Day −7: A sheet of paper on my kitchen table is full of questions to ask. I need to cut them down to what can be covered in an appointment—that is, very few of them. The appointment is already dominating conversations in our house. I wonder how often doctors support patients to prepare for appointments like this, perhaps by sharing an agenda.
D Day − 6: I’m worried because I’ve agreed to do something the day after my appointment, but I know I will be wiped out; emotionally, mentally, and physically.
D Day −5: How am I going to …