Get the Most from Your Medical Appointment

Whether young or old, you should have a primary care provider who serves as the quarterback of your health care team. Your PCP monitors your overall health, provides screenings for health problems, and helps you stay current with immunizations. Your PCP also is the one you should call first if you are feeling sick or have a health care concern. Your PCP can direct you to the most appropriate care, whether it’s a visit to the office or a trip to the Emergency Department. It’s important to have a good working relationship with your PCP so you can be a partner in your personal health care.

Time is of the essence.

Medical appointments today are sometimes only 15 minutes long. That’s not much time to fill your doctor in about your symptoms and concerns, especially if you’re anxious or worried. So what can you do to get the most from your medical appointment?

Be Prepared!
Before seeing your PCP, write a list of your main concerns, symptoms, and questions.

That way you’ll be better organized and will get more value from your visit.

Internal medicine physician Maria Velazquez-Evans, MD, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua, recommends that you list 3 or 4 questions or concerns in order of importance. “That way, you won’t forget. And you will get answers to your most important questions first.”

She also suggests that you bring a notebook to record your PCP’s answers to your questions. After you leave the office, it’s easy to forget what your doctor said or recommended.

Bring a list of all the medications you’re taking and their dosage. That includes over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies.

You may be seeing several physicians who are prescribing medications. But even if you aren’t, it’s important for your PCP to know what medications you’re taking to avoid drug interactions. Your provider may not be able to identify a drug you are taking based on a description such as that “little yellow pill,” so help your PCP out by bringing a list.

“If you’re confused about all your medications, put them in a bag (in their original containers) and bring them to your appointment. We can sort them out and confirm what you should be taking regularly,” suggests Robert Dorf, DO, Amherst Family Practice and Chief Medical Officer of Foundation Medical Partners. “It reduces errors and improves timely care.”

Know your medical history – including your social and family history – and be honest.

You probably remember that your blood pressure may have been a little high in the past, but it’s also important for your PCP to know if certain diseases run in your family. Take some time to talk to your relatives. Find out if any of them have diseases such as diabetes, breast, colon or prostate cancer, or heart disease. Share that information with your PCP.

“The more I know, the better quality of care I can provide,” says Dr. Velazquez-Evans. “For instance, if heart disease runs in a family, I know to be especially watchful for symptoms that could be indicators of the disease."

Also be honest. “You should never feel embarrassed about a symptom, a concern, or even a lifestyle choice. I am not here to judge, but to be a partner in your health care and help you get better,” adds Dr. Dorf. “Trust your doctor. Honest information sharing results in better outcomes.”

Before your next medical appointment, take a little time to prepare. Play an active role in your health care and work in partnership with your PCP. You’ll be glad you did.

Need a primary care provider?

To learn more about all The Medical Center primary care providers, Click here to visit our Find A Doctor page or call HEALTHMATCH at 603-577-CALL (2255).

Additional Web sites for preparing for a doctor’s appointment:

or a form on which to list your medications: