... If we could come up with a good list maybe it would be something we could make available in the library section or something like that.
The one difficulty patchcast, with your suggestion (which I would assume is a collaborative venture) is the assembly and management of such a list. I know there have been discussions about collaborating on a story and that has the same problem. A small team, two or three people, would need to put it all together and would perhaps put their own interpretations on the separate suggestions. There is also, with the list, a danger that an enquirer would ask all the questions - except the one most vital to him or her and a danger also that a playdoc would prepare a standard answer for each question which might not be particularly relevant to the particular enquirer. We are all, as playdoc and patients, so different one from another. Every patient is unique and every meeting needs individual care to set up.
In my practice, after we have chatted for a while and a meeting seems appropriate, I send by email several documents, one of which is a typical examination check list which invariably provokes questions. Those questions are clearly uniquely relevant to the specific enquirer. I send another which is a medical history questionnaire combined with a permissions slip and a note about the Safe Word. A third explains broadly the examination with a note of the arrangements for time and place etc. Thus there is little if anything in the way of information which is left out or can be misinterpreted. They all provoke those vital questions.
Good idea patchcast. It would save time in the screening process........ that is if everyone is truly honest.
I don't think omegaman that saving time in the screening process is a good thing at all. Saving time is not desirable in something so important - maximising the time spent is! Some people find it difficult to communicate and that MUST be overcome. Early in chat I insist that the prospective patient leads the discussion with a question or two. It's a two fold benefit in that I avoid embarrassing or offending the patient or leading her where she may not wish to go and it breaks down the communication barrier that many have.
Mima57 says 'don't be afraid to ask the same question(s) over and over again' [color=#000000]She says it in the context of a patient not fully understanding, but asking the same questions[/color] on a different day can help expose inconsistencies or lack of honesty in responses.
Nothing said above can ever override the most important thing to consider when arranging to meet and that is the issue of safety. With reassurance about safety comes confidence in the playdoc. With confidence and feeling safe comes the greater likelihood of a successful meeting.
Intending patients MUST seek references - and not of the kind that just about anyone can make up. Once you have finally decided a meeting is for you ask your intended playdoc to put you in touch with two or three people from his patients list - preferably people of good standing here on Zity.Biz and that you can read about. They won't of course comment on their own intimate experiences but they can hopefully confirm he's not a madman. If a playdoc says he has a big patient list but can't give you referees then maybe beware. There are around half a dozen additional measures you can take which you can read about in my blog - or ask me direct.
This might be amongst the biggest steps you take in your life. Don't make it the biggest mistake! Communicate!