How to Make the Most of Your Doctor’s Appointment – The Happy Menopause Podcast

Season 3 • Episode 4
Dr Dawn Harper, GP, Author & TV Presenter

Our family doctor is at the heart of the community and the first port of call for health advice, support and treatment for us and our loved ones. But even before the restrictions around the pandemic, that had become more difficult. With appointments often limited to 10 minutes and a one problem: one appointment policy in many surgeries, what does the menopausal women do, if she’s struggling with multiple debilitating symptoms? And how does she make herself heard? I’ve come across so many examples of women feeling that they’ve been dismissed, ignored and simply not listened to and it’s really heartbreaking to hear those stories. So in this month’s podcast, I’ve decided to tackle the doctor’s appointment – how to get one and how to get the most out of it so that you get the exact support you need.

With a subject like this, who better to call upon than the nation’s favourite GP, Dr Dawn Harper, who’s worked in the NHS for over 30 years. Possibly best known for her role in the BAFTA-award winning series Embarrassing Bodies, Dawn is a very familiar face on our TV screens, commenting on medical matters. She’s also the author of 12 health and well-being books, but most importantly, she’s still a practising GP (or family doctor, as it’s known in some countries), serving her local community. So there’s no one better to give us the inside track on how to manage the conversation with your doctor. Let’s find out what advice she’s got for us.

We discuss strategies for getting the appointment in the first place; how to make sure you get to see the right person; how a little planning can go a long way; which questions to ask your doctor and why you should never, ever feel embarrassed! Tune in for Dawn’s brilliant practical advice on how to make the most of your doctor’s appointment.

Show Notes

If you’d like to find out more about Dawn and the work that she does, you can visit her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Here are the links to Dawn’s recent documentaries: How To Stop Your IBS and How To Stop Your Migraine.

Pick up your copy of Dawn’s latest book Live Well To 101.

Check out the Hidden Strength mental health app that Dawn is supporting.