How To… Prepare for Your Doctor

Preparing for your doctor’s appointment can seem overwhelming when you have a lot of information you want to relay to that medical professional, especially if this is your first time meeting with your doctor, or if you have been ill for a long time and you are unsure where to begin. Being organized is important because typically, on average, you will have less than ten minutes to address your concerns. Your medical professional will also have a few issues on his or her mind that they will want to discuss with you in that limited time so quality is more important than quantity. So try to remember what your ultimate goal is and try to stick to what is most important. Your focus should be on those concerns. Is it diagnosis, prognosis, testing, a new treatment plan, or modification of an existing treatment plan? What is the main reason for your visit? Preparing for your appointment can help you understand and answer those questions if you are still unsure.

Start with gathering your supplies. If you have had recent testing results that needs to come with you for the appointment, such as MRI’s on cd’s, make sure to call ahead so they are ready to be picked up in time for your appointment. If you have had lab tests run and need those results, or need help filling out certain medical forms, (for example, packets that have been provided for you from the provider you are seeing), be sure to provide as much detail as you can. If possible, drop them off ahead of your appointment with your medication list and list of your other medical professionals, including their phone and fax numbers, addresses, and reasons for seeing them. If you use a Fitbit, be sure to download that data and summarize your findings ahead of time to see if there is any correlations or noticeable information you should relay to your doctor. And finally, be prepared to share your story truthfully and as openly as you can. Instead of just stating the problem, provide details about it. Disclose any smoking, vaping, drinking, CBD, THC, eating habits, mental status, exercise, LGBTQIA physical issues and needs, and any and all unique concerns you have. That will allow your doctor to best openly address your unique situation. Be prepared to express your feelings in a positive way. If you feel unheard, rushed, or need more attention regarding a certain issue that may require an additional appointment to fully address those concerns, be prepared to say so. The best thing you can do for yourself to handle your appointments and your mental health while managing your care is to make a 3 ring binder now. Trying to keep track of your appointments, tests, phone numbers and fax numbers, medications and other important details is very overwhelming, especially when you are battling an illness. Get organized! Below are some forms that will help you successfully organize in a way that will allow you to do some of your homework one time so you can prepare more easily on each individual appointment as it comes. Make sure to print out the Concerns page each time you make an appointment immediately. As an appointment nears, you can write your thoughts down on that sheet. Reprint it prior to your appointment and reorganize by priority because, as you know, things can change unexpectedly, and it is imperative to keep track of issues and important details as they change.