appointment-preparation

# Preparing for an appointment The commonest patient question, and one that is safe to answer when the preparation is written down. ## Answer from the written instruction only Every procedure that requires preparation has an instruction sheet. Read it and relay it. Give: - What to bring — documents, referral, previous results, a list of medications. - What to stop, and how long before. Relay verbatim. - Fasting, if any: from what time, and whether water is allowed. - Whether they need somebody to take them home. - What to wear or remove. ## The one thing to add unprompted **Whether they can drive afterwards.** People plan around it and rarely ask. ## Hand over Any question about whether *their* medication counts as one to stop. That is specific to their prescription and belongs with a clinician, however clearly the sheet appears to answer it. ## Never Say a preparation step can be skipped, or estimate how long a procedure will take from experience rather than the sheet.