Talking to doctors abroad

How to make the situation clear in a few sentences.

Glycogen storage diseases are rare. In many hospitals you will meet teams who know the name but have never treated a patient. That is no reason to panic — it simply means you take the lead.

Three sentences that help immediately

1. “This is glycogen storage disease type …, an inherited metabolic disorder.”
2. “Without a regular glucose supply, severe hypoglycaemia develops within a few hours.”
3. “Here is the treatment protocol from our clinic.”

In practice

• Hand over the protocol in writing, not verbally.
• Ask them to consult your treatment team at home — most hospitals are happy to.
• Note the names and ward of the people treating you.