‘GET READY FOR YOUR CONSULTATION’ GUIDE
We know that meeting a consultant to discuss sarcoidosis symptoms and treatment can be stressful. Thinking about the appointment in advance can really help, so we’ve put together this simple ‘Get Ready for your Consultation’ Guide to help you consider the topics you would like to discuss with your doctor and allow you to write them down so that you don’t forget anything whilst you are there.
Sarcoidosis affects patients very differently, particularly over time. It is therefore sometimes difficult for consultants to know how sarcoidosis is affecting their patient’s health and quality of life.
For patients seeing a consultant for the first time, these are some of the questions you are likely to be asked, but don’t forget ‘everybody’s sarcoidosis is unique’ and a good consultant will tailor questions to your symptoms. They may ask totally different questions and this is okay.
CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD THE ‘GET READY FOR THE CONSULTATION’ TOOL
If you are viewing on your phone, you can download a pdf version here. However, we would recommend looking at the word document version on a larger screen or printing it out so that you can edit it to meet your needs.
You may need to edit this sheet to suit your needs and your consultant’s style. Please make it personal and unique to you as this will make it more useful in the long term. The downloadable document is in Microsoft Word format, so can be edited easily in any word processing programme.
There is also some space for you to make notes so that you can remember what is said, especially if you attend your appointment alone. If you don’t want to use this section during your appointment, fill it in as soon as possible after the event for the most accurate recall.
It would be a good idea to save this sheet with your clinic letter when it comes. Keeping a current prescription page or list of medications would also be useful. Don’t forget any over-the-counter medications and supplements.
In time this will build a comprehensive diary of your sarcoidosis journey and may prove invaluable if at any time you need to change doctors, create a timeline or even apply for benefits.
Please be aware that consultants often have a fixed amount of time so make sure you highlight your most important questions and don’t overwhelm the consultant. The key to good care is to form a good working partnership with your consultant.
If you have any concerns or queries, please ask for a call from the helpline nurses and they will be happy to help you with this.
This guide references the Kings Sarcoidosis Questionaire (KSQ), a quick and easy, self-administered health questionnaire designed specifically for sarcoidosis patients to help track patient health. Click here to access and find out more about the KSQ.
Hear from Nurse Jo about why the ‘Get Ready for your Consultation’ Guide is so important:
This video was recorded on the 15th October at our 2024 Sarcoidosis Patient Day, from the session ‘What Questions Should I be Asking?’. Click here to watch the rest of the session.
A huge thanks to our SarcoidosisUK Nurse Jo for all of her help creating this consultation guide.
Related content from SarcoidosisUK:
KSQ
King’s Sarcoidosis Questionnaire, a self-administered health questionnaire for sarcoidosis patients.
Nurse Helpline
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