How to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor’s Appointment | GP Advice
If you’ve ever wondered how to get the most out of your GP appointment, this video is for you.
In this vlog, I share practical advice from my perspective as a GP working in New Zealand on how to prepare for a doctor’s appointment — especially when appointments are short and time is limited.
I talk about:
• Why it helps to book routine appointments in advance
• Choosing the best time of day (and why early appointments may run more on time)
• Why doctors run late — even first thing in the morning
• How to avoid feeling rushed or stressed before your consultation
• Why writing down your main concern makes such a difference
• The importance of being clear about your timeline (days, weeks, months, years)
• What can realistically be covered in a 15-minute GP appointment
I also explain why a “15-minute appointment” isn’t really 15 minutes once you include calling patients in, paperwork, referrals, and writing notes.
If you’ve ever booked an appointment and then forgotten why, or left thinking you didn’t quite say what you meant to say, this video will help you feel more prepared and more confident going into your next consultation.
This is part of a week of daily vlogs sharing thoughts from a doctor’s point of view — about general practice, healthcare pressures, and what patients often don’t see behind the scenes.
If there’s something you’ve always wanted to ask a GP, leave a comment and I’ll try to cover it in a future video.
Disclaimer: I do not provide personal medical advice in this video. If you have a symptom that you think you need to see a doctor about or are not sure if you need to see a doctor about, please discuss this with your health professional and they will triage you appropriately.