GWENT DEFIBBERS MEETING 1602017 Dr Susan Nolan Cardiologist

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

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

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

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

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

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

�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

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

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?

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?

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?

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

THANK YOU �Any questions?