Good conversations with your healthcare professional help you get the right support and plan the next steps together. A little preparation can make a big difference.
01
Prepare your questions
Think about what you want to understand or discuss, and bring your list.
02
Share what has changed
Your experience helps your healthcare professional understand your progress.
03
Agree what happens next
Work together on a plan that's right for you.
A little preparation helps you and your healthcare professional have a clear, productive conversation.
"I want to work together to manage my condition — what do you think are the best next steps for me?"
01 · Speak
Making the most of your appointment
A few simple steps can help you and your healthcare professional have a clear, productive conversation.
Prepare your questions
Write down questions beforehand. Ask about your condition, tests, treatment options, and daily life — and bring the list so you don't forget.
Share what has changed
Share your symptoms and how often they happen, what's getting better or worse, and how it affects your daily life, work, and activities.
Agree what happens next
Discuss the plan, treatments, and next steps; make sure you understand what to do and when, and how to reach your team.
Conversation starter
"I want to work together to manage my condition. What do you think are the best next steps for me?"
You're a partner in your care
Your insight helps your healthcare team support you better.
02 · Speak
Your next appointment: 5 questions to bring
These questions can help you have a clear and productive conversation with your healthcare professional.
1 · What should we measure?
What should we measure to understand how my IBD is doing?
2 · What should I watch for?
What signs or symptoms should I watch between visits?
3 · How do they relate?
How do my symptoms and inflammation relate to each other?
4 · What goals matter now?
What treatment goals are most important for me right now?
5 · What's next?
What should I do next before my next appointment?
Bring with you
Recent test results, symptom notes, your medicine list, and questions for your healthcare professional.
Keep checking in
Keep talking, keep checking in, and keep focusing on what matters most to you.
Reference
Glossary
Understanding key terms can help you feel more confident when talking with your healthcare professional. Ask if any term is unclear.
IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease — conditions that cause long-term inflammation in the digestive tract.
Crohn's disease
A type of IBD that can affect any part of the digestive tract, often the small intestine and colon.
Ulcerative colitis
A type of IBD affecting the colon and rectum, where inflammation is limited to the inner lining.
Flare
A period when symptoms get worse, such as more diarrhoea, pain, or tiredness.
Remission
A period when symptoms improve or go away and inflammation is reduced.
Inflammation
Swelling and irritation in the body's tissues — in IBD, in the digestive tract.
Biomarker
A substance in blood, stool, or tissue that can show if inflammation is present or how active the disease is.
Endoscopy
A procedure using a thin, flexible camera to look inside the digestive tract.
Histology
The study of tissue under a microscope; samples may be taken during endoscopy.
Treatment goal
The target agreed with your team — reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, preventing flares.
Monitoring
Regular checks and tests to understand how your condition is doing and if treatment is working.
Healthcare professional
A trained expert who supports you, answers questions, and helps plan your care.
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never change or stop a treatment without speaking to your healthcare professional first. Sources include the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, ECCO, and NICE patient information. Some images were created using AI for illustrative purposes only.
