Most GPs will be happy to schedule an introductory appointment with you, during which you can discuss your personal needs before deciding whether to register.
What can you expect during such an appointment?
- During the introductory appointment with the GP, you can discuss anything confidentially.
- It is good to prepare for the introductory appointment.
- Think about what you would like to know.
See the list below to find out which topics are important for you.
Topics beforehand
Almost all GP practices have a website. It is useful to look at the website before your introductory appointment. If you do not have an internet connection, you can usually ask the GP assistant for a practice leaflet beforehand. The website or the leaflet often provides information about the following topics:
- How is the practice organised?
- How can you make an appointment?
- What are the consultation hours?
- What is the standard time for a consultation; is it possible to schedule a longer consultation?
- Is it possible to speak to the GP or another professional in the practice by telephone. If so, how?
- Is it possible to contact the GP or another professional in the practice by email. If so, how?
- How are repeat prescriptions arranged?
- What types of staff members work in practice and what do they do?
- How is healthcare arranged outside office hours?
Topics for the conversation
You can include the topics below in your conversation with the GP. You can write down the topics you would like to talk about beforehand. These are just examples. Make sure to discuss the things that are important to you, even if they are not listed below. If anything on your GP’s website is unclear, feel free to discuss it. You can also tell your GP if you feel important topics are missing.
Practice organisation
Questions you can ask about how the practice is organised:
- How can you make an appointment?
- What are the consultation hours?
- What is the standard time for a consultation; is it possible to schedule a longer consultation?
- Is it possible to speak to the GP or another professional in the practice by telephone. If so, how?
- Is it possible to contact the GP or another professional in the practice by email. If so, how?
- How are repeat prescriptions arranged?
- What types of staff members work in practice and what do they do?
- How is healthcare arranged outside office hours?
Extra services
If applicable, ask what is available in addition to standard GP care. You can help the GP by telling him or her what is important to you. For example: religion, alternative therapies, accessibility.
Expectations
- What do you expect from your new GP?
- Do you have any diseases or ailments you would like to talk about?
- What are important qualities in a GP for you?
- Would you like to know the GP’s views on sensitive medical topics such as euthanasia or abortion?
- What do you think about medication and over-the-counter remedies you can buy at the chemist’s (drugstore)?
- What do you think about being involved in the approach to your disease or ailment?
- How does your GP think and what will your GP say if things aren’t going well or might go wrong? After all, it is important to feel comfortable talking to your GP.
- What happens if the assistant doesn’t understand you or if you don’t agree?
- Would you like to ask questions or talk about what doctors should do if your heart stops (do you want to be resuscitated or not)?
- Would you like to tell or ask the GP anything about hereditary (genetic) conditions?
- Would you like to know what your potential new GP thinks about alternative therapies?
Reasons to switch to a different GP
You will often need to find a new GP after moving house. But there can also be other reasons. Think about whether you want to talk about why you want to switch to a new GP/practice? It could be important for the new GP to know this, but perhaps you do not feel the time is right to discuss this yet. Think about this carefully.
Finally
Think about whether you have discussed everything you wanted to? If necessary, you and the GP can decide whether you want to schedule a follow-up appointment.
If you decide after the introductory appointment that you want to register with the GP, you can find information (in Dutch) about how to do this in the leaflet ‘Choosing a different GP’ (Een andere huisarts kiezen) by the Netherlands Patient Federation (Patiëntenfederatie Nederland) and the Dutch General Practitioners Association (Landelijke Huisartsen Vereniging).