Going to a medical office can be overwhelming, especially if you are not feeling well. Having a trusted person with you can help you feel supported, communicate your needs and help you know what directions the doctor suggests you follow after you leave the visit.

When asking a trusted person to accompany me to a medical office, it is helpful to identify the following information:

A person with whom I can share personal and private information with and believe they will help and support me

YES +

  • Parent
  • Adult sibling
  • Support staff
  • Adult partner
  • A close friend I’ve shared private information with before who has helped me
  • Other?
 NO –

  • Someone I know from a class I took
  • Someone I met online gaming
  • Someone I know on social media or online (such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, a YouTuber)

Things I can say to start the conversation

YES +

  • Can I talk with you?
  • Do you have a minute to talk?
  • I want to let you know I ____
  • Other?
 NO –

  • YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME TO THE DOCTOR!
  • MOM! MOM!
  • Other?

Help with getting to and/or home from the medical office

YES +

  • I need to go to the doctor, can you give me a ride?
  • I need to go to the doctor, can you come with me to help me?
  • Can you help me practice talking with the doctor?
  • Other?
 NO –

  • YOU need to take me to the doctor
  • I can’t go by myself!!
  • HELP!!!
  • Other?

Find a time when my trusted person does not appear too busy

YES +

  • The person is reading
  • The person is washing dishes
  • Other?
 NO –

  • The person is talking on the phone
  • The person is taking a shower
  • The person is about to leave/go somewhere
  • Other?

A quiet place that we can hear each other and focus

YES +

  • A quiet place at home
  • Few or no other people are around
  • Sitting in a parked car
  • Other?
 NO –

  • Lots of noise, people talking
  • Driving in traffic
  • Lots of other people around
  • Other?

4-W’s Skills: Asking a trusted person to accompany me to a medical office

Review

How to Ask Someone to Accompany You to a Medical Office

Practice

Once you have answers to your 4-Ws handout, it’s time to practice! You can practice what you want to say on your own. You may consider trying this in front of a mirror.

Reflection

Questions can help you evaluate your practice. Examples:

Did I decide who my trusted person was?

  • ​If so, am I comfortable talking with this person?
  • ​If not, who else could I ask?

Did I find a good time to talk with my trusted person?

  • If so, why did that time work well?
  • If not, what may be a better time to try?

Did I find a good place to talk with this person?

  • If so, why was that a good place?
  • If not, where may be a better place to talk?

Did I start the conversation well?

  • If so, how did that go?
  • If not, what do I need to say differently?

Can this person go to the appointment with me?

  • If so, do we have a plan for when we are going?
  • If not, do I know who I can ask next?