SHARE YOUR ICE
YOUR IDEAS
CONCERNS
EXPECTATIONS
A toolkit to help you communicate with your doctor using a tool that doctors are taught in UK medical schools. Make sure you feel heard and seen to advocate for your health needs.
SHARE YOUR ICE
Sometimes it is hard to communicate everything you want to share in the short few minutes of a doctor's appointment. There is a method of communication doctors use, and for the first time we are sharing this with you - the patient.
IDEAS, CONCERNS, EXPECTATIONS or ICE for short. A doctor uses this to cover the main points.. If ever in doubt, ask your GP to document your ICE.
IDEAS
When a doctor asks you 'What do you think the problem is?'...it is not because they themselves don't know. Some patients feel horrified at this question, but it is actually a deliverate question to find out what it is you're worried about or thinking of.
Sharing your IDEAS of what you think is underlying your symptoms is a good way of doctor and patient understanding what the other is thinking. It is surprising how many times a patient answers this with more information which is actually really helpful to making the diagnosis!
CONCERNS
What are you worried about? Share your CONCERNS with the doctor.
You may be worried that the lump is cancer, or you may be worried that the heavy bleeding is a sign of an underlying gynae problem like endometriosis.
Sharing your concerns with the doctor can again help guide them to know what it is you have come in for, and help guide an agreed plan of action that matches what they think is best and what you need as a patient.
EXPECTATIONS
What were you hoping the doctor would do?
Sometimes patients just want reassurance from a medical professional, sometimes they are hoping for a scan or a referral. If you leave feeling the doctor hasn't done what you had hoped, it is because you haven't shared your EXPECTATIONS.
This helps to make sure the GP/Dr has met your needs, heard what it is you came in for.
OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP
INVESTIGATIONS
A guide to explain what the different types of scans are for, what they are looking for and what to expect.
NHS VS PRIVATE
A guide to explain the differences between the NHS and private healthcare. Independently presented to provide a balanced view to allow you to make the decision that is right for you.
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Information you can trust...
We are regulated by the Patient Information Forum which means we hold the PIF Tick of approval. This shows that the information we share is reliable and safe.