Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals)
Resources
The following resources can be found in this section:
· Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (PPTs)
· Scenario: Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals)
· Quiz: Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals)
· Handout
The DVA Trainer will determine which activities are suitable for the training. Please note not all activities may be used during the training.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (PPTs)
The Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) PowerPoint (PPT) is located on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education Volunteer Resource website page.
The PPT file is: TAB31 – Talking with your doctor.ppt
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Scenario
SCENARIO: Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (training use only) /Part 1
Mick has a long history of struggling with PTSD (post-deployment) and sometimes depression. He has intermittently received psychological help as well as sometimes taking medication. He usually stops any treatment after a while, and at times has self-medicated with alcohol.
Mick calls and says ‘all is good’. He tells you he has found a counsellor from an ad in the local paper, and he has spoken to her over the phone and feels ‘really good about this one. And she only charges $70 a session, unlike the last psych.’
Questions to raise / Talking points
1. What is positive in the scenario above?
2. What might you want him to check about the woman he is going to see?
3. What preparation do you recommend before he goes to see her?
4. Is there anything else you might do?
(see possible responses on next page)
Part 2
Two weeks later he calls you and tells you the whole thing was a ‘disaster’, and he has lost all faith in people.
Questions to raise / Talking points
5. What can you say to Mick?
6. What other actions can you take?
(see possible responses on next page)
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Part 1
1. What is positive in the scenario above?
· Mick wants to do something.
· He has some idea of diagnosis and what has/has not worked before.
· He is ex-ADF (so possibly some options).
· He has some finances.
2. What might you want him to check about the woman he is going to see?
· Qualifications, experience, membership of professional body, what sort of therapies she uses etc
· Ask her for some professional references, e.g. doctors or other clinicians that have referred to her.
· Does she treat eligible veterans and bill DVA?
3. What preparation do you recommend before he goes to see her?
· Review ‘Talking to your doctor’ in MHPE notes.
· Importantly write down his issues, and put in order.
· List of treatments tried previously and his responses.
4. Is there anything else you might do?
· Offer to act as an advocate and find out about Q2 items above.
· Call him after he attends and see how he is going.
· Offer to catch up and have a chat.
Part 2
5. What can you say to Mick?
· Always other options.
· Don’t judge everyone by one experience—have you ever had bad service from a plumber/shop assistant etc.
· Good GP can be a good start for referrals or other help.
· VVCS has some great options.
· Online sources of support.
· Offer to catch up and have a chat.
6. What other actions can you take?
· Before you see him, contact VVCS (where all counsellors are appropriately qualified) about Mick’s options. This can be done anonymously.
· If counsellor’s approach to Mick has been bad enough, consider options for reporting her actions to appropriate body.
· Reinforce the importance of GP involvement.
· Mick is at increased mental health risk at this time, so stay in touch and check in about how he is going over the next few weeks or months.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Quiz
QUIZ: Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals)Select the best answer.
1. Which of the following is true?
a. Men are more likely to go to their GP than women
b. Men and women attend their GP about the same
c. Men are more likely to be admitted to hospital emergency than women
d. None of the above
2. Which of the following would not usually be undertaken in a healthy 60-year-old man’s thorough annual health check?
a. Prostate check
b. Testicular examination
c. Blood sugar level
d. Check on relationship issues
e. Screening for blood in bowel motions
3. In order to get the most out of an appointment with your GP, the best advice is to:
a. Answer the doctor honestly as s/he knows what to ask and will guide you to establish the real problem
b. Take in a list of issues and start with the least important to get these items out of the way quickly
c. Take in a list of issues and start with the one worrying you the most
d. Not to worry too much about medical jargon; the main thing is that you have the best doctor and treatment
4. Which of the following health providers is not funded for eligible DVA Gold Card holders?
a. Diabetes educator
b. Osteopath
c. Exercise physiologist
d. Aromatherapist
5. A Medicine List (from your pharmacist, GP or online) of all the drugs you are taking should contain:
a. All prescription medicines
b. All prescription medicines, including generic names
c. All prescription medicines, including generic names, and all herbal or complementary treatments
d. All prescription medicines, including generic names, and all herbal or complementary treatments, and any vitamins and minerals taken
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Select the best answer.
1. Which of the following is true?
a. Men are more likely to go to their GP than women
b. Men and women attend their GP about the same
c. Men are more likely to be admitted to hospital emergency than women
d. None of the above
2. Which of the following would not usually be undertaken in a healthy 60-year-old man’s thorough annual health check?
a. Prostate check
b. Testicular examination
c. Blood sugar level
d. Check on relationship issues
e. Screening for blood in bowel motions
3. In order to get the most out of an appointment with your GP, the best advice is to:
a. Answer the doctor honestly as s/he knows what to ask and will guide you to establish the real problem
b. Take in a list of issues and start with the least important to get these items out of the way quickly
c. Take in a list of issues and start with the one worrying you the most
d. Not to worry too much about medical jargon; the main thing is that you have the best doctor and treatment
4. Which of the following health providers is not funded for eligible DVA Gold Card holders?
a. Diabetes educator
b. Osteopath
c. Exercise physiologist
d. Aromatherapist
5. A Medicine List (from your pharmacist, GP or online) of all the drugs you are taking should contain:
a. All prescription medicines
b. All prescription medicines, including generic names
c. All prescription medicines, including generic names, and all herbal or complementary treatments
d. All prescription medicines, including generic names, and all herbal or complementary treatments, and any vitamins and minerals taken
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Handouts
The following handouts can be found in this section:
· Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) checklist
· DVA MHPE Information Sheet: Talking with your doctor
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) checklist
Make the most of every visit with your GP, specialist or other health professional by making notes beforehand and taking along this checklist. Record the date when you became aware of any changes or health concerns, and any improvements in your health. Ensure you also take a copy of your paper or electronic Medicines List.
(All these issues won’t apply every visit. Copy the blank form for future use.)
Topic / Date / Your notes /Lifestyle and wellbeing
Diet & Nutrition
Appetite changes
Weight changes
Exercise patterns
Sleeping patterns
Alcohol use
Other drug use
Smoking
Health issues
Chest pain or tightness
Palpitations
Bone/joint pain or stiffness
Bowel problems
Dizziness or vertigo
Headaches
Vision changes
Hearing changes
Shortness of breath
Skin healing
Skin spots or changes
Difficulty with urine flow or frequency
Infections
Thoughts, feelings and concerns
Loneliness or isolation
Feeling sad or down
Worries or anxiety
Relationship concerns
Sexual/intimacy issues
Thinking, memory or concentration issues
Other issues to consider
Accidents, injuries, falls or hospitalisation
Mobility and lifting
Driving and transport
Housing/finance issues
Other doctors or therapists consulted / (List)
My most important topics for discussion with my doctor/health professional are:
1.
2.
3.
Adapted from checklists developed by the former Victorian Quality Council, Department of Health Victoria.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor: resources (Tab 31)
MHPE Information Sheet: Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals)
Women are more likely than men to see a GP. Men are more likely than women to go to a hospital emergency department!
Having an enduring relationship with a good GP is an excellent investment in a man’s health. The GP assists you through the health ‘system’, so the earlier the doctor is involved, the better. The relationship requires honesty and openness on both sides.
A ‘good’ GP should be accessible, flexible, and selected according to any specific needs of the patient, such as offering home visits or having other health services available at the clinic.
A ‘good’ patient will take an active role in their health; this may involve having an eHealth record or taking a support person if it helps. He will prepare for the visit by making a list of symptoms and concerns. Start with your biggest worry, be honest and thorough, and expect honesty, clarity and detail in return. You should leave your appointment with a clear understanding of any condition you may have, your treatment and any follow-up appointments, tests or other care you may require.
These guidelines apply to all health workers, not just the GP. Eligible DVA cardholders can see a range of health professionals with a referral from their doctor.
Annual check-ups with your doctor are like regular oil changes in your car: you don’t wait till the engine seizes before you do something about it!
Medication
Know as much as you can about all your medication. Maintain a list of all drugs, prescription and ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ medicines, ‘over-the-counter’ drugs (e.g. aspirin, codeine), herbal treatments, vitamins and minerals. These are all drugs, and can have an impact on other medicines and affect some health conditions. Tell your doctor about any illicit drugs you take, and provide an honest description of alcohol consumption.
The pharmacist is a great partner in your health. S/he can answer questions about medicines, and help keep an accurate list of all your drugs: Brand and generic names, dose and time taken, what it is for and common side effects and drug interactions.
See your doctor regularly (and encourage your mates to do the same). You are the expert about your body and mind, so working in partnership with a good GP delivers the best outcomes.
Further information
Talking with your doctor guide (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpdf.nsf/ByPDF/Talking_with_your_doctor/$File/Talking_with_your_doctor.pdf)
E-Health (personally controlled eHealth record) (www.ehealth.gov.au)
National Prescribing Service 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) or website (www.nps.org.au)
Veterans’ MATES (medicine information) (www.veteransmates.net.au)
DVA Medicine Fact sheets (www.factsheets.dva.gov.au/factsheets/)
Reviewed: 08/10/2015