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?