Before your appointment

Preparation is essential

Your thoughts and wishes matter. This page helps you get ready to talk with your doctor or healthcare team.

An elderly man with glasses working on a laptop in a bright, modern room with colorful geometric wall art.
An elderly man with glasses working on a laptop in a bright, modern room with colorful geometric wall art.

Before your appointment, it can help to think about what is important to you. There are no right or wrong answers. Your healthcare team wants to understand your life, not just your health condition.

You do not need to decide anything today. This is a chance to think, and to ask questions.

Step 1

What matters most to you?

Think about what is most important in your life right now. You can share this with your doctor at your appointment.

Things that may be important to you:

  • Maintaining my independence

  • Staying in my own home

  • Quality of life

  • Maintaining my mobility

  • Living longer

  • Avoiding pain

  • Avoiding hospitalisation

  • Maintaining my memory and thinking

  • Family responsibilities

  • Cultural or spiritual beliefs

Tip: You may wish to print this page and tick what matters to you before your appointment. You can bring it with you, or share it with a family member or carer.

Step 2

Questions to think about

These questions can help guide your conversation with your doctor. Choose the ones that feel most important to you.

  1. What are the benefits of this treatment for me?

  2. What are the risks for me personally?

  3. Are there other options I could consider?

  4. What may happen if I choose not to have treatment?

  5. What is recovery likely to involve, and how long might it take?

It is okay to ask questions. If you do not understand something, ask your doctor to explain it in a different way. You can also ask for written information to take home.

Step 3

Involve your family or carers

You may find it helpful to talk with someone you trust before your appointment — a family member, carer, or close friend. They can come with you if you would like their support.

Your healthcare team is happy to include them in the conversation.

This page is a guide to help you prepare. The questions and prompts here are starting points for your conversation — not a checklist your doctor must follow, or advice about what decision to make. Your healthcare team will discuss your individual situation with you.