When you go to the doctor – Easy read
Easy Read fact sheets are about what happens when you go to the doctor, including tips on what you can do before, during and after your appointment.
Our series shares simple, practical ways to get the most out of your medical appointments.
This includes tips for women’s health concerns, like:
- menopause
- bladder leaks
- heavy periods
- other women’s health issues.
You’ll also find helpful advice and conversation starters from health experts. You can use these suggestions to talk to a doctor at a community health centre, private clinic or hospital.
you might need to see a doctor when you:
- feel sick
- have pain
- need support with depression or anxiety
- are travelling and need vaccinations.
You might feel worried about going to the doctor. But there are things you can do to have a good appointment. An appointment means you meet with a doctor to:
- tell them what is wrong
- get help to feel better.
You can ask someone to support you when you need to see a doctor.
There are things you can do before you see a doctor.
First, you’ll need to find the right doctor for you. You can look for a doctor who knows about women’s health care. It’s ok to ask for a female doctor. For the best care, look for a doctor who:
- is kind and listens to you
- explains things clearly
- works with other health professionals.
Health professionals are experts in different types of health care.
If you need more information, you can contact the clinic before you book an appointment to make sure you feel comfortable in the space. You can ask:
- how much the appointment will cost, and if they bulk bill
- how long it will take to get an appointment
- if the doctor does telehealth appointments
- if the clinic is accessible (you can get in and around the building).
You can also ask if the clinic is set up to meet your needs. For example:
- if you need a hoist to move onto a bed
- if you need a quiet place to wait for your appointment
- if you speak a language other than English or use Auslan and need an interpreter.
If you need to talk about more than one health problem, you can book a longer appointment. A longer appointment may cost more.
Your doctor will ask you about your health concerns. You can:
- tell them about your symptoms and medical history
- ask any questions you have.
You don’t need to rush when you speak to the doctor. Tell the doctor if you feel uncomfortable, worried or scared. It’s also okay to say if you’ve had a bad experience with doctors in the past.
Let the doctor know what helps you feel more comfortable. You can ask them to explain what they are going to do.
You can stop the appointment at any time if you need to.
If your doctor speaks quickly or gives you lots of information, it’s okay to ask them to:
- slow down
- explain things clearly
- give you written information to take home
- write down the most important details
- explain next steps and who will organise any follow-up care if needed.
Let your doctor know if something they ask is hard for you, such as:
- finding information on a website
- travelling a long way for another appointment.
- Write down any questions you want to ask the doctor. Take your notes with you to the appointment.
- You can also write down your symptoms (things you feel) and your medical history (any health problems or treatments you’ve had in the past).
- Wear comfortable clothes. The doctor may need to examine parts of your body.
- You can take someone with you – a friend, family member, carer, or support worker – to help during your appointment.
Know your rights when seeing a healthcare professional or doctor. You have the right to:
- keep your personal information private
- say no if you feel uncomfortable (choose what to show the doctor)
- be treated with respect – this means your doctor listens to you, is kind, and takes your concerns
- seriously.
If you are not happy with how you’ve been treated, you can make a complaint. You can:
- tell the doctor or clinic staff that you are not happy
- ask someone you trust to help you make a complaint.
Making a complaint can help improve the service for you and for other people. You won’t get in trouble for speaking up.
When you get home, you can make a list of any next steps. It can also help to talk to someone you trust about:
- the appointment
- how you feel
- what you need to do next.
You can also ask them to help you with the next steps. For example:
- book another appointment
- help you get any medicine you need.
After your appointment, treat yourself to something nice. This could be:
- visiting a friend
- having a coffee or tea
- doing something that makes you feel good.
How to talk to your doctor about women’s health
Get the most out of your medical appointments for brain fog, bladder leakage, heavy periods and more. This series includes practical advice and conversation starters from the experts.
