Consultation with a healthcare professional can sometimes be very uncomfortable, especially if one is thinking of receiving new therapies. If you intend to consult an authorised prescriber, you need to have an idea of what to expect when attending the appointment for the first time. Here are some steps that will help you expedite the task, as well as explain the position of the TGA in Australia and the appropriate Australian prescription guidelines.
An authorised prescriber refers to a doctor who holds a special legal right from the TGA to prescribe therapeutic goods not approved by the TGA. These goods may be currently approved but not fully registered, and for patients with such conditions, they can be of immense benefit. The TGA makes sure that these prescribers only prescribe them in the right manner to avoid any harm to the patients while granting patients access to newer medicines.An authorised prescriber is essential. TGA authorised prescribers can provide the cases when the traditional treatment approaches are either ineffective or not suitable for the given patient’s profile. Learn more.
Preparation should be taken as a good strategy when attending the first consultation. Below are some tips that you may follow in order to achieve a very effective visit:
Gather Your Medical Records
Bring any available medical records from specialists from whom you may be taking services. This includes:
Previous diagnoses
Current medications
Treatment history
Any allergies or adverse reactions
This information will be handy to the prescriber, who will be able to better understand your background in the health sector.
Most of these should already be uploaded into the patient portal at the time of completing your patient intake form.
List Your Symptoms
One should be very clear about the apprehended symptoms and the ways they influence their everyday life. Write down:
When the symptoms began
How severe they are
Any triggers you have noticed
The details that are provided here will help your prescriber make the right assessment.
Prepare Questions
Questions about new therapy are normal, which is why there are many questions in the text. List down any concerns you may have on the following aspects:
The proposed treatment options
Expected outcomes
Potential side effects
This knowledge will ensure that you do not feel lost, and it will also help you better understand what is going on when you are going for your consultation appointment.
The following activities will be made during the first consultation with an authorised prescriber:
The prescriber will, first of all, take your case history and your current health status into account. They may ask about:
Previous diagnoses
Current medications
Any allergies or adverse reactions to treatments
It provides them with a good understanding of your situation, and then they recommend the best course of action based on various factors, such as your health condition, desired speed of rehab, and financial capabilities.
Your prescriber will then explain possible treatments after the evaluation of your condition. This may include:
Particular therapeutic goods for which they are allowed but without specific approval from the relevant authorities.
The rationale behind choosing these treatments
Expected benefits and potential risks
You should not shy away from asking questions during this discussion. Understanding the rationale behind why a particular treatment is advised will assist you in making a qualified decision about your health.
If you are to accept the recommended therapy, the prescriber will detail how the process of informed consent is going to be done. This involves:
Discussing how the treatment works
Outlining any potential side effects
Make sure that, as a patient, you comprehend your rights to be respected.
This step is important because the client needs adequate information about the treatment that she or he is about to undergo so that she or he does not have any further complaints.
The Australian Prescription guidelines outlined by the TGA also have a great influence on the functioning of authorised prescribers in Australia. These guidelines ensure that:
Treatments are received according to the client’s needs or as it is commonly known as medical necessity.
The patient gets sufficient information on the available choices
It is evidenced that patient progress is being constantly observed
This article outlined these guidelines and may assist in dispelling these concerns and reassuring the public that safety is paramount when one receives these cures from an authorised prescriber.
Follow-Up Care and Ongoing Monitoring
Subsequent care after the first visit may involve various forms of checks to see how the client is progressing and modification of treatment if needed. During subsequent appointments, you will find that:
Regular Assessments
Your prescriber will also monitor the effectiveness of the treatment from time to time. They may ask about:
Changes in symptoms
Any side effects experienced
Overall quality of life improvements
They are essential in establishing whether the current management strategy is appropriate or if modification is required.
Adjustments Based on Feedback
Whenever a side effect is noticed or if the treatment program is not as promising as expected, your prescriber will advise you. This may include:
Changing dosages
Trying different therapeutic goods
Exploring additional therapies
Cohesion is important for such individuals during this process, and it entails the free flow of information. You provide it so that when you get your treatment, you are assured that it is the best that was offered to you.
It is vitally important that you have a good relationship with your authorised prescriber in order to treat you. However, here are some tips on how to build this relationship:
Be Honest and Open
It is always important not to hide any symptoms or worries, as well as any other treatments that one may be using or planning to use. This helps society gain more trust, and it is also important so that the particular prescriber can do a very good job.
Ask Questions
Consultations are supposed to be informative, so you should not be afraid to ask questions. Whether it is about the treatment plans, the effects, or the next steps, it is essential to ask questions relative to the demonstration of interest in one’s health.
Share Your Goals
You should be able to inform your prescriber of your health goals. These may include pain control, gaining flexibility in the affected limb, or increasing general health. When treating a person, it is helpful to share goals since this can ensure that the set goals are met.
In most cases, the first consultation with an authorised prescriber can be crucial in helping to decide the next steps in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Knowing what to expect during this juncture will enable you to prepare adequately for your appointment. Greenhaven Doctors are professional medical practitioners who smoothen the process of treatment for chronic pain through affirmative/alternative healthcare and therapy, based on your previous medical conditions and outcome. Contact us to book an appointment for the other associated services in alternative health today!
We want to always acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia and their connections to our land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, as well as all of the peoples of this proud nation today.