When you visit a healthcare provider for testing or treatment, you always have several options to choose from. Which treatment or test is best for you depends on a number of factors. For example, it depends on the risks and side effects, your lifestyle and circumstances, your occupation, and your personal preferences.
Shared decision-making has many benefits. For example, you may gain more confidence in your treatment or become more motivated to continue taking your medication. By being well-informed, you can make a conscious choice, which maximizes your chances of success.
But what’s the best way to have a conversation with your healthcare provider? Below are some tips to help you go into the conversation as well-prepared as possible:
Ask someone to come with you
First of all, you can prepare for the appointments together. That way, you’ll avoid forgetting to ask or mention important points. Also ask your loved one if they’d like to come to the appointment with you, because you’ll hear and remember more together than you would on your own.
Use your notes
Write down everything you want to ask or bring up on paper. Think about discussing your health symptoms, concerns, test results, diagnoses, treatments, etc. You can even download these cheat sheets from various websites (see box).
For children, use this resource:
For children and adolescents, there is the “The Best Decision” toolkit from the Children’s Ombudsman. This toolkit helps children and adolescents make good decisions about their care together with adults (see box).
Find information at
. There is a lot of additional information about your condition online. Be careful, though, because you’ll also find a lot of nonsense. That’s why you should use reputable websites, such as those of the OOG in OOG Association, the Dutch Eye Association, and hospitals.
Leave on time
Make sure you don’t have to rush on the way there, and allow for any potential delays. This will help you avoid going into the interview feeling unnecessarily stressed.
Record the conversation
Sometimes it can be helpful to record a conversationand listen to it again at home—especially if you’re alone, for example. That way, you can be sure you don’t miss anything. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know as soon as you arrive so they’re aware of this. Most cell phones have a voice recording feature.
Tell us what’s important to you
Your ideas matter. They’re just as important as the healthcare provider’s ideas. So be open and honest about what you think and want. Use your notes to help you with this.
Ask for a summary
At the end of the conversation, ask for a summary or summarize the conversation yourself and ask if you understood it correctly. That way, you’ll know if everything is clear. Also ask how you can best reach the healthcare provider after this conversation if you have any follow-up questions.
Time to ThinkIt Over
If your healthcare provider suggests, for example, a (new) treatment, know that you usually don’t have to decide right away. Ask for some time to think it over so you can discuss it at home with your loved ones and decide what works best for you and your life.
After the appointment
Would you like to review what was discussed during the appointment? Then you can take a look at your digital health record. Healthcare providers enter all your medical information into this record. You can access this digital health record online or through an app on your phone. A password or Digid protects your medical information. Has your situation changed since the appointment? For example, is the treatment more difficult than you expected? If so, let your healthcare provider know so you can work together to find a solution.
Read more
Especially for kids:
www.kinderombudsman.nl/toolkit-beste-besluit
