The Door Handle Question: “Just One More Thing, Doc…”

Your appointment is wrapping up, your hand is on the door handle, and you turn around: “Oh, and just one more thing…” Most of us have done it. In this episode, Damo and Tash talk about the “door handle question”: why we hold back the thing that matters most, and what it can cost us. Damo shares the time he left a symptom that needed urgent attention until he was literally walking out of his pain specialist’s office. Tash talks about nearly giving up on a running-late appointment, and how bringing a list from her dietitian meant she walked out with exactly what she needed. We also hear from Dr Paige Lanyon-Roberts, a GP with extended skills in obesity medicine at MedSurg Weight Loss. She explains what door handle moments look like from the doctor’s side, why flagging your concern at the start makes such a difference, and why you are very unlikely to shock your GP. We also cover weight stigma in healthcare, the real cost and wait times of rebooking, writing things down before you go in, and when it’s time to find a new GP. You’re the expert in your own body. Your concerns deserve proper time. About Dr Paige Lanyon-Roberts Dr Paige Lanyon-Roberts is a GP with recognition of extended skills in obesity management, and the Director of MedSurg Weight Loss in Brisbane. Her clinic brings GPs, dietitians, psychology and exercise physiology together under one roof. It offers both medical and surgical pathways for weight management, with telehealth available Australia-wide. Paige is a passionate advocate for stigma-free care that treats the whole person. She’s a much-loved friend of The Bari Chronicles. https://medsurgweightloss.com.au/