Working well with your healthcare team

A good relationship with your GP and your hospital specialist can make a big difference to the success of your treatment and to your general wellbeing. If you can talk honestly and openly, your doctor will be better able to prescribe a programme of treatment and care that's best for you.

Important information to tell your healthcare team

On your first visit

When you're going to see your GP it will help if you are prepared. Try to think about what you want to say, and how your symptoms have been affecting you.

Here are some things you may want to think about:

What are your symptoms? Don't forget to mention other symptoms that you think are commonplace, such a headaches and problems sleeping. For some people these symptoms could indicate an underlying health problem.
How often do you get symptoms?
How long do your symptoms last? Do they come and go, or are they there all the time?
Consider keeping a symptom 'diary' before going to see the doctor
The truth. Don't try to hide facts if you are a heavy smoker. Concealing this information could hinder your treatment and care.
Do your symptoms stop you doing anything? For instance do you have to stop to get your breath back halfway up the stairs and does your breathlessness stop you walking to the shops or stop you having sex properly?
How the condition is making you feel emotionally.
What happens when you exercise?

Follow up visits:

If you have already been diagnosed with COPD you might want to think about other things as well:

Have your symptoms changed since your last visit? Are they worse or better?
Are you doing fewer activities than at your last visit, or are you having a tougher time with your activities? If your doctor sees you are cutting back on your activities, he or she may feel it is time to make a change in your treatment.
How have your medicines been working?
Have you experienced any side effects from your medicines?
Do you think you might benefit from seeing an occupational therapist (who can help you with adaptations in your home), or a physiotherapist (who can help you with exercises to improve your breathing)?

Keeping an eye on your progress

Tracking your symptoms, activities, and medication needed is an important part of monitoring your health. It can help you show your doctor how you're doing and how much your COPD is affecting your lifestyle. It can also help you and your doctor work out whether your medication is giving you enough symptom control, and whether you have the right balance of maintenance and rescue medication.

Questions you might be asked

Often, the time you spend with your healthcare professional is limited. Think about the questions you would like to ask them before your appointment and write them down. Take these with you to your appointment.

It is important that you can leave your appointment feeling satisfied that you were able to ask and have answered all of the questions appropriate to that healthcare professional. Knowing what you want to find out before you go in can help achieve this.

Questions you may want to ask include:

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me cope with my symptoms?
Why have you chosen this particular treatment for my condition?
Can I use other medicines while I am taking this treatment?
How long will it typically take to see results?
How can my progress on this treatment be monitored?
Will I need any tests while I'm on this treatment?
What will happen if I stop using this treatment?
What are the potential side effects of any treatment you are prescribing?
What other treatments are available?
Who can I speak to if I have any questions after this visit?
Are there any activities or situations I should avoid?
Where can I get more information about COPD? There may be useful websites or patient support groups.

It's important not to think you are wasting your doctor's time. Your health is important, so if you do feel that you need more time with the doctor you could always ask whether a double appointment is available.

Role of the pharmacist

If you and your doctor decide you need some medicines for your COPD, you may find that the healthcare professional you have the most contact with is your local pharmacist.

It's good to remember that your pharmacist is more than just someone who sells you your medication. A pharmacist is an expert on how medicines work and interact, and can advise you about any safety concerns - especially important if you're taking more than one medicine at the same time.

Read more about how your pharmacist can help you (PDF)

As part of the service to make sure your medications are right for you and that you're getting the best from them, your pharmacist can offer you a free Medicines Use Review (MUR). Find out more about the Medicines Use Review (PDF)

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