For the most up to date information on this topic, please visit jeanhailes.org.au
This Easy Read video is about what happens when you go to the doctor, including tips about what you can do before, during and after your appointment.
Produced in partnership with Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA).
This is also available as a fact sheet.
Duration: 4 mins 44 secs
When you go to the doctor – transcript
Speaker: Do you need to see a doctor?
You might need to see a doctor if you feel sick, have pain or need a health check.
There are things you can do to have a good *appointment*.
Appointment means you meet with a doctor to tell them what is wrong and get help.
Find the right doctor
Look for a doctor who listens and explains things clearly.
You can look for a doctor who knows about women’s health care.
It is ok to ask for a female doctor.
Call the clinic
Ask questions before you book an appointment.
For example
• ask how much the appointment will cost
• ask if the clinic is *accessible*.
Accessible means you can get in and around the building.
Tell the clinic about your needs
Ask if the clinic can meet your needs.
For example
• if you need a hoist to move onto a bed
• if you need a quiet place to wait
• if you need a long appointment because you have lots of things to talk about.
Get ready for your appointment
You can write a list of questions and take them to your appointment.
You can ask someone to come with you to your appointment.
For example, a family member, friend or carer.
At your appointment
Your doctor will ask you about your health problem.
Your doctor might want to do some tests or check your body.
You can say yes or no.
If your doctor gives you lots of information, you can ask them to slow down or write notes.
Tell the doctor about your needs
You can tell the doctor if you feel worried or scared.
Tell the doctor how to make you feel ok.
For example, ask them to explain what they will do.
You can also ask about next steps.
For example, if you need to see another doctor.
Your rights
You have the right to be treated with *respect*.
Respect means your doctor is kind and listens to you.
You have the right to keep your information private.
You have the right to say no if you do not want to do something.
After your appointment
After your appointment you can do something nice for yourself, like visit a friend.
You can ask someone to help with next steps if needed.
For example, help to make another appointment or get medicine.
End of transcript
Speaker: Do you need to see a doctor?
You might need to see a doctor if you feel sick, have pain or need a health check.
There are things you can do to have a good *appointment*.
Appointment means you meet with a doctor to tell them what is wrong and get help.
Find the right doctor
Look for a doctor who listens and explains things clearly.
You can look for a doctor who knows about women’s health care.
It is ok to ask for a female doctor.
Call the clinic
Ask questions before you book an appointment.
For example
• ask how much the appointment will cost
• ask if the clinic is *accessible*.
Accessible means you can get in and around the building.
Tell the clinic about your needs
Ask if the clinic can meet your needs.
For example
• if you need a hoist to move onto a bed
• if you need a quiet place to wait
• if you need a long appointment because you have lots of things to talk about.
Get ready for your appointment
You can write a list of questions and take them to your appointment.
You can ask someone to come with you to your appointment.
For example, a family member, friend or carer.
At your appointment
Your doctor will ask you about your health problem.
Your doctor might want to do some tests or check your body.
You can say yes or no.
If your doctor gives you lots of information, you can ask them to slow down or write notes.
Tell the doctor about your needs
You can tell the doctor if you feel worried or scared.
Tell the doctor how to make you feel ok.
For example, ask them to explain what they will do.
You can also ask about next steps.
For example, if you need to see another doctor.
Your rights
You have the right to be treated with *respect*.
Respect means your doctor is kind and listens to you.
You have the right to keep your information private.
You have the right to say no if you do not want to do something.
After your appointment
After your appointment you can do something nice for yourself, like visit a friend.
You can ask someone to help with next steps if needed.
For example, help to make another appointment or get medicine.
End of transcript
About Easy Read
Our Easy Read videos explain women’s health topics using simple words, images and an accessible format. They are read slowly and clearly to help people understand key messages.
The video was created using Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). PCS and Boardmaker are trademarks of Tobii Dynavox LLC. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
This Easy Read video is about what happens when you go to the doctor, including tips about what you can do before, during and after your appointment.
Produced in partnership with Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA).
This is also available as a fact sheet.
Duration: 4 mins 44 secs
When you go to the doctor – transcript
Speaker: Do you need to see a doctor?
You might need to see a doctor if you feel sick, have pain or need a health check.
There are things you can do to have a good *appointment*.
Appointment means you meet with a doctor to tell them what is wrong and get help.
Find the right doctor
Look for a doctor who listens and explains things clearly.
You can look for a doctor who knows about women’s health care.
It is ok to ask for a female doctor.
Call the clinic
Ask questions before you book an appointment.
For example
• ask how much the appointment will cost
• ask if the clinic is *accessible*.
Accessible means you can get in and around the building.
Tell the clinic about your needs
Ask if the clinic can meet your needs.
For example
• if you need a hoist to move onto a bed
• if you need a quiet place to wait
• if you need a long appointment because you have lots of things to talk about.
Get ready for your appointment
You can write a list of questions and take them to your appointment.
You can ask someone to come with you to your appointment.
For example, a family member, friend or carer.
At your appointment
Your doctor will ask you about your health problem.
Your doctor might want to do some tests or check your body.
You can say yes or no.
If your doctor gives you lots of information, you can ask them to slow down or write notes.
Tell the doctor about your needs
You can tell the doctor if you feel worried or scared.
Tell the doctor how to make you feel ok.
For example, ask them to explain what they will do.
You can also ask about next steps.
For example, if you need to see another doctor.
Your rights
You have the right to be treated with *respect*.
Respect means your doctor is kind and listens to you.
You have the right to keep your information private.
You have the right to say no if you do not want to do something.
After your appointment
After your appointment you can do something nice for yourself, like visit a friend.
You can ask someone to help with next steps if needed.
For example, help to make another appointment or get medicine.
End of transcript
Speaker: Do you need to see a doctor?
You might need to see a doctor if you feel sick, have pain or need a health check.
There are things you can do to have a good *appointment*.
Appointment means you meet with a doctor to tell them what is wrong and get help.
Find the right doctor
Look for a doctor who listens and explains things clearly.
You can look for a doctor who knows about women’s health care.
It is ok to ask for a female doctor.
Call the clinic
Ask questions before you book an appointment.
For example
• ask how much the appointment will cost
• ask if the clinic is *accessible*.
Accessible means you can get in and around the building.
Tell the clinic about your needs
Ask if the clinic can meet your needs.
For example
• if you need a hoist to move onto a bed
• if you need a quiet place to wait
• if you need a long appointment because you have lots of things to talk about.
Get ready for your appointment
You can write a list of questions and take them to your appointment.
You can ask someone to come with you to your appointment.
For example, a family member, friend or carer.
At your appointment
Your doctor will ask you about your health problem.
Your doctor might want to do some tests or check your body.
You can say yes or no.
If your doctor gives you lots of information, you can ask them to slow down or write notes.
Tell the doctor about your needs
You can tell the doctor if you feel worried or scared.
Tell the doctor how to make you feel ok.
For example, ask them to explain what they will do.
You can also ask about next steps.
For example, if you need to see another doctor.
Your rights
You have the right to be treated with *respect*.
Respect means your doctor is kind and listens to you.
You have the right to keep your information private.
You have the right to say no if you do not want to do something.
After your appointment
After your appointment you can do something nice for yourself, like visit a friend.
You can ask someone to help with next steps if needed.
For example, help to make another appointment or get medicine.
End of transcript
About Easy Read
Our Easy Read videos explain women’s health topics using simple words, images and an accessible format. They are read slowly and clearly to help people understand key messages.
The video was created using Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). PCS and Boardmaker are trademarks of Tobii Dynavox LLC. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Review process
Our review process
This information has been reviewed by clinical experts and is based on the latest evidence.
Our content review process ensures our health information is accurate, trustworthy, current and useful.
We regularly check our information to make sure it reflects the latest clinical guidelines and key findings from large, reliable studies.
Where possible, we focus on Australian research to make our information more relevant locally.
Experts play a key role in reviewing our content. Clinicians at Jean Hailes check information for accuracy and real‑world relevance. These include GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and allied health professionals.
We also work with partner organisations, independent specialists and people with lived experience to make sure our content reflects both expert knowledge and the experiences of the community.
