Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (Tab 30)
Talking with your doctor (and other
health professionals)
Contents
Learning outcomes...................................................................................................... 3
Acknowledgments....................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 5
The importance of having a doctor? ........................................................................... 5
Finding a doctor .......................................................................................................... 5
Other health professionals ....................................................................................... 10
Medication ................................................................................................................ 11
Medical information on the internet ........................................................................ 12
Talking to a mate about his doctor ........................................................................... 12
Further information .................................................................................................. 14
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Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (Tab 30)
Talking with your doctor (and other
health professionals)
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, and with further directed activities, MHPE
volunteers should be able to:
 state three reasons for an Australian man to have an ongoing relationship with
a GP
 suggest key matters to consider in helping a mate find a good GP
 list ten health issues that may need to be considered in an annual health check
 discuss ways of optimising discussion and outcomes with a doctor or other
health professional
 list six health professions that may be available to eligible veterans and exservice personnel on GP referral
 explain simply what the term ‘drug’ means
 state five important descriptors of any medication that should be recorded on a
medicines list
 demonstrate how to find accurate health information on the internet.
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(Tab 30) Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals)
Men’s Health Peer Education
Acknowledgments
Information in this section has been sourced from the following sources:

Victorian Quality Council, Department of Health, Talking with your doctor
resources website, accessed 2012. (Note the VQC completed its term in 2012
and materials are now only available via Department of Health archives)

Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans’ MATES website
(www.veteransmates.net.au) 2015

Department of Health and Ageing, eHealth website (www.ehealth.gov.au) 2015
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Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (Tab 30)
Introduction
Statistics show that men are more reluctant than women to see the doctor, even
when the problem is serious. Men, however, are more likely than women to end up
in the emergency department! A man, his family, his doctor and other health
professionals work best together to manage his health and medical issues. Having a
regular general practitioner (GP) is important, as this means not having to go over
his medical history every visit, and makes communication easier.
Many ex-servicemen have had no need for a relationship with a GP while serving.
Their training taught them to ‘tough it out’ in any case, and sometimes not to
discuss health issues with medical staff in case of career impact. If relatively young
and healthy on discharge, there may seem little imperative to find a GP.
The importance of having a doctor
When it comes to staying healthy or living with a medical condition, a good GP is a
valuable partner. He/she draws on years of education and experience in discussing
health risk factors, history and lifestyle. But a successful doctor–patient
relationship requires participation on both sides. Honest and detailed description
of issues, symptoms and concerns from the patient allows the GP to work with him
to prevent illness, manage chronic conditions, identify problems and help him
remain as healthy as possible. The GP understands the health system and can help
provide access to specialists, allied health professionals and hospital services,
especially for eligible veterans. The earlier a man discusses issues with his GP, the
better.
Finding a doctor
Helping a mate find a good GP might be the best thing you could ever do for his
health. In making the decision of who to see, he should consider his specific needs:

Access: can he get there easily; is there parking, disability access, etc?

Being able to get an appointment when needed.

Availability of long consultations if required.

Bulk billing (no direct patient fees). There is usually no fee for eligible veterans.

Clinic type: small, in which he sees the same GP each time, or a large practice
that may have specialist doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists etc.

What specific needs he has; for example, some clinics may have a doctor who
sees more clients with diabetes, or only works Fridays.

After hours and home visit availability.
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Men’s Health Peer Education
If a tradesman does a bad job on your house, you don’t get him next
time. If you are not happy with the service from your doctor, raise your
concerns with him or find another. Ask your mates, family members or
local health or welfare services for a recommendation.
Some tips for your mate about successful visits to the doctor:

A good doctor is accessible: Make an appointment to ensure that you see the
doctor at a time that suits you.

A good doctor respects your time: If your doctor commonly runs late and you
have to wait, ring to check before leaving. If the delay does not suit you,
reschedule your appointment. Ring as a courtesy if you are running late, as
alternative arrangements may be possible.

A good doctor allows time: If you have a number of issues to discuss, or a
procedure that may take a bit longer, ask the receptionist whether you should
book a long appointment.

A good doctor is flexible: If you have an urgent problem let the receptionist
know, as many surgeries keep a few ‘emergency appointments’ free.

A good doctor needs information from you: Take all your medications and/or
your medication list with you to the consultation (and see below).
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Annual check-ups with your doctor are like regular car services: you
don’t wait till the engine seizes before you do something about it!
Consider booking in for an annual check-up (your major service!), even if feeling
well. At this appointment the discussion may cover issues including:

diet and exercise

weight management

sleep quality

stress management

mental health issues

memory

blood pressure

smoking

alcohol and other drug use

blood sugar to check for diabetes

cholesterol

prostate examination

skin lesions, sun exposure and vitamin D

screening for blood in bowel motions

relationship and social concerns

transport and mobility

anything else of concern to you or the doctor.
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Men’s Health Peer Education
eHealth
Encourage your mates to talk to their doctor and sign up for an eHealth
record to assist with improved health management. Having an eHealth
record can make getting the right treatment faster, safer and easier:
Faster, because doctors and nurses and other health care professionals
will not have to spend time searching for past treatment information.
Safer, because authorised health care professionals can view your
important health care information, including any allergies, medicines
and treatment.
Easier, because if travelling or not seeing your usual health provider
you will not have to remember and repeat your medical history,
medications and test results.
This will result in better coordination of health care, particularly for
veterans with chronic conditions and complex health needs.
You can apply for an eHealth record in online, in writing, over the
phone or in person, but it best to go to the website first to read the
information provided.
Ehealth website (www.ehealth.gov.au)
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Talking with your doctor

To get the most from your consultation take an active role in your own wellbeing by
being informed and engaged. Use the ‘Talking to your doctor checklist’ (see Resources
section under tab 30) to assist.

Make a list of your symptoms and concerns. Be as specific as possible, noting the
duration, frequency, timing, severity and whether there are any associated triggers or
patterns. Explain clearly how the symptoms are affecting your life.

Say what is worrying you most first, instead of leaving it until the end of the
consultation: put it first on your written list. Use the ‘Health concerns checklist’ (see
Resources section) to assist. Your doctor will then understand how important your
concern is and give the discussion the time it needs. If you do not get through
everything, you can always make another appointment.

Know and provide your doctor with your family medical history. Knowledge about
illnesses that may have affected your family can help your doctor to identify your risks
and, in turn, recommend lifestyle or medication changes.

Be honest. Give your doctor accurate information. Lifestyle factors such as diet,
exercise, sexual activity, alcohol and other drug or smoking habits can all affect your
disease risk or medications. Answer all questions frankly about your current lifestyle,
and about how prepared you are to make any changes.

Expect honesty from your doctor in return. You want a clear explanation, in language
you can understand, about what, if anything, is wrong; how serious it is; how it can be
treated; and what your choices are. If anything is unclear, ask.

Discuss any worries or mood problems, including health issues, relationship difficulties,
money worries, or emotional concerns. These are all relevant to your health
management.

Bring a relative or friend for support and company, to help with communication,
and/or to assist if needed.

Don’t be afraid to speak up, no matter how personal or private your problem seems.
Even if your problem is sensitive your doctor has probably heard similar concerns
before. All doctors hold confidentiality in the highest regard.

Tell your doctor if you are not happy with any aspect of the visit. This will enhance
future collaboration.

Ask your doctor to explain anything that is unclear, and for a print-out or written
explanation of any results, information or complex words. This is a common request
for all doctors, and it is their responsibility (and your right) to ensure communication is
understood.

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.
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Other health professionals
All the points above hold true when you see other health professionals. Sometimes
your GP may refer you to a specialist doctor. It can occasionally be a long wait to
see a particular specialist, especially for the first time; ask your GP if there is
someone you can see earlier if you believe the matter to be more urgent.
It is important that you feel comfortable with, and confident in, the health
professional you are seeing, particularly if the relationship is to be ongoing. Review
again the list above, and always be confident in asking for another opinion.
DVA will pay for eligible cardholders to receive treatment from the
following health professionals (who accept the DVA Gold/White Card),
usually with a doctor’s referral:












podiatrists
dietitians
physiotherapists
diabetes educators
psychologists
social workers
osteopaths
chiropractors
speech pathologists
occupational therapists
exercise physiologists
community nurses.
There are many other health professionals, including those in the complementary
health fields, that you may choose to use for treatment or advice at your own
expense. Although there are legal restrictions on who can use terms such as
‘medical practitioner’, ‘registered nurse’, ‘psychologist’ and some other titles, many
other titles can be loosely used by practitioners (e.g. ‘counsellor’, ‘natural
therapist’). While many will be appropriately trained and registered, it is always
prudent to ask about qualifications, registration and experience, as well as
considering all the other ‘talking to your doctor’ items above.
It is always your choice about who you consult for health advice and
how you manage your health, but it is wise to keep your GP informed
of all other treatments you are receiving.
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Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (Tab 30)
Medication
Bring all your medications with you to the medical consultation, or a list of
prescription medicines (this should also be held by your doctor and your
pharmacist), as well as all containers of other products you take, even if only
occasionally.
These products include all:

‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ medicines

non-prescription pills such as aspirin and cold and flu tablets

liquid medicines, such as cough syrup

herbal treatments

vitamins and minerals

any other ‘over-the-counter’ treatments.
These are all ‘drugs’, and have potential to interact with other drugs. Alcohol is also
a drug, so be honest with your doctor about the amount you consume. The same
goes for illicit drugs, such as cannabis (your doctor is interested in your health, not
reporting you to the police!). The greater the range of substances you are taking,
the greater the risk that there may be an interaction with other drugs. Tell the
doctor of any changes, side-effects or concerns you have when taking any drug. By
keeping your doctor, and your pharmacist, fully informed, you reduce the chance of
medication errors occurring.
It is useful to keep a written and/or smartphone record of all prescribed and other
medication, including:

name: brand name and generic name, as the chemist may dispense a different
brand than that prescribed

what dose you take

when it should be taken: time of day, when in relation to meals etc

what it is taken for

what side-effects you should look for, especially if newly prescribed

if there are any medications it interacts with that you may take

any other issues with this medication of which you should be aware.
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Men’s Health Peer Education
You can get this Medicines List from your community pharmacist, the NPS website
below (where you can download the MedicineList app) or use the ‘Medications
checklist’ (see Resources section under tab 30). It is good to add any nonprescription products as well and to take the list to all health appointments. If you
are taking a large number of medicines, or are having difficulty taking or
remembering to take medicines, you may wish to ask your GP or pharmacist about
a Home Medicines Review. If eligible, this review can be conducted with a
pharmacist at your home.
Remember: Have your list of medications updated whenever your
medicine changes, and make sure it includes everything you take.
Medical information on the internet
The internet is a great source of health information. And misinformation! Stick with
sites that come from a government agency, statutory or professional body,
university or other not-for-profit source. Website addresses that include .gov, .org
or .edu are often a better starting point than .com. This Volunteer Resource manual
has many useful websites. Do explore other possibilities however; but make sure
you talk with your doctor or another health professional before you self-diagnose
or try a new treatment.
The internet is great for health information. So is Mr Bloggs down the
road. You wouldn’t diagnose an illness in yourself, or start a new
treatment, based on what he said either, would you?
Talking to a mate about his doctor
Many Australians report satisfaction with their GP because they feel listened to
when they visit. Unfortunately for men with health risks or illnesses, they are less
likely than women to see a doctor. The most important thing the MHPE volunteer
can do is encourage a mate to regularly see a GP.
An annual health check should be a starting point for all men. Use the analogy of
your car—you have regular safety checks and services because you don’t want the
unnecessary cost and inconvenience of a breakdown or accident. This example is
also useful for early intervention: if you hear an unusual engine noise, or your
brakes start pulling to one side, you get the problem checked and fixed early. Do
the same with your body; if you feel a ‘niggle’ or problem that persists when you
would expect it to have settled with self-management, see your GP. Early attention
is nearly always easier, cheaper and safer.
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Talking with your doctor (and other health professionals) (Tab 30)
Having encouraged regular or early attendance, the other priority is getting the
most out of the visit. This was the primary message of this module, and can be
summed up by encouraging your mate to:

prepare before the visit by thinking through, writing down and prioritising his
issues

speaking up, as he has knowledge the doctor doesn’t

not leaving until he has clarification of his main issues

working in an ongoing partnership with his GP and other health professionals.
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Men’s Health Peer Education
Further information
Talking with your doctor
A short and straightforward guide to communication before, during and after a visit
to your doctor, other health professional or hospital.
Better Health website
(www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpdf.nsf/ByPDF/Talking_with_your_doctor
/$File/Talking_with_your_doctor.pdf)
National Prescribing Service
An Australian Government-funded, independent website providing practical tools
and information about medicines, health conditions and medical tests.
1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) is a phone line for public enquiries about medicines
(Mon to Fri, 9 am–5 pm).
NPS website (www.nps.org.au)
Order or print Medicine Lists, create an e-list, or download the NPS phone app.
NPS website (www.nps.org.au/topics/how-to-be-medicinewise/managing-yourmedicines/medicines-list)
Monthly Medicinewise newsletter, medicines updates and other resources.
NPS website (www.nps.org.au/publications/consumer/medicinewise-living)
National Health Services Directory
Government site to enable people to access locate health services. Find a GP, allied
health service or hospital, and filter by choices such as bulk-billing and parking.
NHSD website (www.nhsd.com.au)
Veterans’ MATES
This innovative DVA program provides current health and medicine information for
health professionals and veterans on a range of conditions and medicines, such as
diabetes, warfarin, insomnia, heart failure, falls, gout and medicines reviews.
Veterans’ MATES website (www.veteransmates.net.au)
DVA Medicine Fact sheets
 Medication Reviews in the Community HSV90
 Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) HSV92
DVA website (www.factsheets.dva.gov.au/factsheets/)
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Apps
Note all are free at Apple store or Google play (for Android) unless specified
MedicineList+ smartphone app
The MedicineList+ smartphone app allows you to enter your medicines, set alarms
for taking your medicines, save your medicines list and email it, and much more.
NPS website (www.nps.org.au/topics/how-to-be-medicinewise/managing-yourmedicines/medicines-list)
National Health Services Directory
Find local health services anywhere, on the go.
NHSD website (www.nhsd.com.au/consumers)
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