How to Make the Most of Your Doctor's Visit

Studies have shown that patients who are able to provide important health information and are prepared for a doctor’s appointment tend to receive better care than patients who do not. Here are a few steps to take to make the most of your next doctor’s visit.

Before Appointments

Gathering and organizing your health information before your appointment is key to ensuring a productive meeting with your doctor. This is especially important if you are seeing multiple doctors or meeting with a new physician. Here is what you should do before your next appointment:

1. Get your test results: If you are seeing a new doctor, make sure he or she has copies of your latest X-ray, MRI or any other tests or recent lab results, including reports from other doctors. In most cases, you will need to handle the groundwork on your own. This may require that you make a phone call to your previous doctor, or you may need to pick up your lab results in person.
2. List your medications: Make a list of all the medications and dosages you are currently taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. Alternatively, collect all your pill bottles and take them with you to your appointment.
3. Know your health history: Sharing any previous medical problems and procedures can help make an office visit much more efficient. If your health history is complicated, it would be best to write it down. Genetics matter too, so knowing your family’s health history may also be helpful.
4. Prepare a list of questions: Make a written list of the top three or four issues you want to discuss with your doctor. This can help you stay on track during your appointment and ensure you address your most pressing concerns first. If you are in for a diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms.

During Appointments

When you meet with your doctor, it is important to be direct and concise to explain why you are there. Be honest and specific when recounting your symptoms or expressing your concerns. Many patients may be reluctant to talk about their symptoms, which makes the doctor’s job much more difficult. You may want to bring along a family member or friend to your appointment if your doctor’s office permits it. They can help you ask questions, listen to what the doctor is telling you and provide you support.

Consider taking notes or asking the doctor if you can record the session for later review. If you do not understand what the doctor is telling you, ask him or her to explain it in simple terms so you can understand. If you run out of time and do not get your questions answered, ask if you can follow up by phone or email, make another appointment or seek help from a nurse.

For more information, the National Institute on Aging offers a booklet called “Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older Adults” that can help you prepare for an appointment and become a more informed patient. To get a free copy mailed to you, call 800-222-2225 or visit order.nia.nih.gov and search for the guide.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.