Outpatient clinics are the primary mode of access for the vast majority of patients, and most diagnoses are made on an outpatient basis. Getting a quick and reliable diagnosis is the common goal of every patient and doctor. A detailed consultation and examination, as well as more comprehensive and appropriate imaging or other ancillary tests, are the basis for a correct diagnosis. Even so, in developed countries in Europe and the United States, where patients are given sufficient time to be seen by the doctor before they enter the office, the rate of misdiagnosis in outpatient clinics is still as high as about 30%, based on the premise of appointment-based consultation (the patient’s information is delivered to the doctor before the patient enters the office). In my country, or in my own clinic, an outpatient visit is no less than a battle. In just 3 hours, the normal number of registered patients is usually about 25, and there may be a few unregistered patients referred by acquaintances or colleagues (due to national conditions), and the actual number of patients may be about 30. We need to see 10 people per hour, with an average of 6 minutes per person (without any interruption in the continuity of the visit). Since some cases may imaging data back again to read the film, diagnosis and other factors take up time, even if we ourselves have not drank much water to reduce the toilet time and other ways to control the interruption time, but the average actual consultation time per patient is still not more than 5 minutes. With such a short time to complete the consultation, examination, and review of films, the rate of misdiagnosis is believed to be no better than the results mentioned above. In reality, it is not possible to increase the consultation time, and as the number of consultations increases, the single diagnosis time per patient may also decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to make efficient use of just 5 minutes for a domestic consultation. In addition to physician factors, patients themselves need to learn and adapt to the situation (which may change in the future when the real meaning of graded care is implemented). First of all, you need to have a general understanding of your disease, and choose the right department or doctor when registering, as different departments or doctors will definitely have different treatment directions. Although most hospitals have triage desks, but objectively speaking, triage desks are relatively better in general hospitals and smaller hospitals, in most specialty hospitals is more symbolic than practical. It is unrealistic to expect a few nurses who are not particularly good clinically to show you a clear path in just a few sentences. The way to find out is to look online or in the hospital’s doctor or department profiles to find a department or doctor that meets your requirements. To shorten the waiting time for registration, use appointments when possible to avoid not being able to get a number or having to wait too long. Most hospitals offer a variety of ways to make an appointment, and our hospital currently offers advance registration appointments at the outpatient window and 028-114 telephone appointments. Secondly, it is best to have a plan of how you want to express your condition before you visit the clinic, so that you can be concise and focused. Doctors welcome patients who are organized and prepared, not only to communicate easily, but also to complete the relevant treatment efficiently. When you find that your doctor is asking questions and taking full control of the consultation, it means that your own description of your condition has been wasted and unfocused, and the doctor has little time for you to continue (although this is unreasonable, but there is no way around it). Again, bring as much relevant information about your condition as possible. I often find that many people think that the previous stuff is useless so they don’t bring it, or they just bring an X-ray or CT or MRI report. The reality is that previous data may not have direct diagnostic value, but it may be a reference. Also, at least for myself, I only trust myself, I have to read the imaging data myself. Although some reports are more detailed, clinicians and imaging doctors look at films from different angles and focus, and may come to different conclusions on the same film. In addition, the doctor needs to determine whether the abnormalities on the film are consistent with your condition, not necessarily whether the problem on the film is the cause of the patient’s illness. It is indeed not easy to get medical treatment in China, both for the patient and for the doctor himself. It is useless to complain at this stage, only both sides continue to learn and adapt to create the conditions to improve the level of treatment together. I hope my patients will be more rational, and those behind me will be more patient, and I am constantly trying to improve myself to face and overcome the disease together and improve the quality of life of my patients.