1. GWENT DEFIBBERS MEETING
16/0/2017
Dr Susan Nolan,
Cardiologist, Prince Charles Hospital

2. MAKING THE MOST OF THE PATIENT TIME WITH THE CONSULTANT
What questions you should be asking
How to prepare before hand
What information the consultant requires of you and why

3. A LITTLE ABOUT ME… Qualified University College Dublin 1998
Junior doctor training Ireland/Australia
Decided to be a cardiologist after rotation 2001
Cardiology training Wales
Voluntary work Zambia 2008
Consultant post PCH since 2012

4. PREPARATION Know who you’re seeing and what their specialty is
Make a list – symptoms (duration and frequency/triggers)
Medications including OTC (some over the counter medications can have cardiac side effects or interact with prescribed medications)
Questions (has your GP suggested you ask anything in particular?)
New patient appointment 30 minutes
Follow up appointment 15 minutes

5. ON THE DAY Please attend – or phone if you can’t
Remember non-attendance without notification may result in discharge from clinic
Arrive a little early in case you needs observations/ECG/etc
Bring your appointment letter
Consider bringing someone with you
Let the hospital know if you need support with communication

6. DURING THE APPOINTMENT
Let your doctor know if you don’t wish medical students to be present
Have your prescription available – although we may have seen it previously or you may have brought it to another clinic it’s good to be fully up to date with any recent changes, however minor
Facilitates any necessary changes from clinic

7. Please be patient with us if we seem to be asking questions you’ve been asked before
It’s amazing how a small piece of information can be useful in making a diagnosis
Please ask questions (repeatedly if necessary)
Ask for jargon to be explained
Feel free to write things down

8. HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS!
At a minimum you should have been told:
What might be wrong
What tests are necessary
Any risks
What medications are needed
What are the side effects
Where do we go from here/follow up

9. NHS CHOICES CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS
Tests, such as blood tests or scans
What are the tests for?
How and when will I get the results?
Who do I contact if I don’t get the results?

10. TREATMENT Are there other ways to treat my condition?
What do you recommend?
Are there any side effects or risks? If so, what are they?
How long will I need treatment for?
How will I know if the treatment is working?
How effective is this treatment?
What will happen if I don’t have any treatment? (an important question)
Is there anything I should stop or avoid doing?
Is there anything I can do to help myself?

11. WHAT NEXT What happens next?
Do I need to come back and see you? If so, when?
Who do I contact if things get worse?
Do you have any written information?
Where can I go for more information?
Is there a support group or any other source of help?

12. AFTERWARDS Consider writing things down Make a note of appointments
Websites with further advice: NHS choices/British Heart Foundation

13. THANK YOU
Any questions?