You and your doctor

Developing a good working relationship with your doctor and other healthcare workers is essential.

Developing a good relationship with your doctor
Things you can do to help
Some of your rights as a patient

Developing a good relationship with your doctor

Egghead doctor with clipboard Developing a good relationship with your doctor and other healthcare workers is essential for your care.

Nurses and pharmacists are excellent sources of support and advice on all aspects of your treatment including on side effects and adherence.

They are able to make referrals to other professionals including dieticians, psychologists and social workers.

Both you and those involved in your care have certain rights and responsibilities. Below is a list of things you can do, followed by the rights you have as a patient.

Although you always have the right to change your doctor or treatment centre, this is best seen as a last resort.

Things you can do to help…

Find a clinic that is convenient and that you feel comfortable with
Find a doctor who you feel comfortable with: if you’re a woman and want to see a female doctor, or a gay man and want to see a gay doctor, then this should be possible
Make a list of things you want to discuss with your doctor and take this to your appointment
Keep a list of your drugs, dosages, when you need to take them, and whether you get these from your clinic or GP
See the same doctor at each visit -– this is important. It is very difficult to develop a relationship if you always see a different doctor. However, it is often useful to see a different doctor for a second opinion
Plan to have your routine bloods taken 2–3 weeks before your regular appointment. The results will then be available to discuss when you see your doctor
Book routine appointments in plenty of time
Turn up for your appointments on time. Tell the clinic if you can’t make it, so they can give the appointment to another patient
Treat all people involved with your care with the same respect you would wish to receive yourself
Listen carefully to health advice that you are given and act upon it
If you don’t understand anything, ask your doctor to explain it again or in a different way
Be honest with those caring for you.
Tell your doctor about any other drugs that you are taking – legal, street, recreational, prescription or complimentary. Alternative treatments and recreational drugs can cause side effects and can interact with HIV drus
Be honest about your adherence (taking your meds). If people managing your care don’t know you are having problems, they can’t help
Be interested in potential research. Studies generate data that can help yours and others future care

Some of your rights as a patient…

To be seen within 30 minutes of your appointment or expect an explanation
To have options for treatment explained. This includes the risks and benefits of each option
To be fully involved in all decisions regarding your treatment and care
To be treated with respect and confidentiality
For your records to be kept securely and to be available for you to see if you ask
To be able to make photocopies of your medical notes
To decide not to participate in research without this affecting your current and future care
To make a complaint about your treatment without it affecting your future care. To have any complaint fully investigated
To receive a second opinion from a suitably qualified doctor
To receive a written response within 14 days from any letter that you write to your hospital or clinic
To change your doctor or treatment centre without it affecting your future care. You do not have to give a reason for changing doctors or clinics although sometimes this can help resolve a problem if there has been a misunderstanding
To have all test results and a summary of your treatment history forwarded to your new doctor or treatment centre if you decide to change your clinic