Part 3: Including carers in consultations
4 out of 4What is my carer learning?
Your carer will be watching a short video about Tony who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and his wife Jane. They are attending a radiation oncology consultation for the first time.
The video provides a good example of a carer introducing themselves, establishing their role, and providing relevant information in a first meeting with a health professional.
This video is not relevant to you as it focuses on building carers’ skills.
The optional information below covers the unlikely scenario of what to do if a clinician is not including your carer as much as you want. Click + to reveal video.
What to do if your carer is not being included as much as you would like
Whilst not a common experience, a small number of carers report feeling ignored on occasion by the patient's health professional.
Remember, if they experience this, it is very likely they have done nothing wrong. The vast majority of doctors appreciate and respect the valuable contributions of carers, but most have not been trained how to appropriately include carers. Sometimes, in the course of a busy clinical practice, the carer can be overlooked.
If you or your carer feel they are being overlooked or ignored, it is recommended that you and the carer work together to address this issue.
A first step is to help the clinician realise that you want your carer at the consultation and involved in your care. You can show your carer is important by using inclusive body language e.g. looking to the carer, and verbal cues e.g. Asking your carer in front of the doctor: “Is there anything you would like to add or ask about?”
If after taking these steps, you still feel that your carer is not being adequately included, you could try these strategies:
- You can emphasise to the doctor the importance of your carer’s involvement by, subtly, saying to the doctor “I really value [partner’s] input, let’s ask them first”.
- If this does not work, you could more explicitly clarify the importance of your carer: “It is important to me that my [family member/friend] is included in these conversations as they are my primary carer, and an important part of my care team.”
OVERALL COMPLETION
