Preparing for a Visit with Your Health Care Provider

Do you make an appointment with your health care provider, but forget half your questions once you're in the exam room? Does your health care provider ask you questions during a visit that you can't answer? Preparing for a health care visit can help you get the most out of your health care. Below are some tips to help you get ready for a visit to your health care provider.

Suggestions of what to bring include:

• A list of your medicines. Include the doses and how often you take them. You can also bring all of your medicines in their original containers. Many times this makes it easier for you and more accurate for your provider. Be sure to bring nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, skin creams, eye drops, antacids, and vitamins. Include any diet or herbal supplements you are taking.
• A list of other health care providers you see
• Information about past health history, hospital stays, surgeries, and allergies
• A list of questions you have and anything you want to tell your health care provider
• A family member or friend to help you
• Copies of records and tests from other hospitals or health care providers
• A pen and paper to take notes. You may also ask your health care provider if it is okay to record your visit.

Write down your name and the names of your brothers and sisters. Below that, write the names of your parents, aunts, and uncles. Below that, write the names of your grandparents. Next to each name, write the person's date of birth and list any health problems you know about. If the person has died, note the date and cause of death.

Make a list of what you want to tell your health care provider. Include questions you want to ask. Order your questions so you make sure your most important concerns are addressed. Talk about how you've been feeling since your last visit. Talk about any changes you've noticed. And any new symptoms you have. Or anything else the health care provider should know.

Ask a family member or friend to come with you to the health care provider. They can:

• Drive you to and from your visit
• Make you feel comfortable and more confident
• Remind you what you planned to tell or ask
• Take notes
• Help you remember what the health care provider says

Doctors give general medical care. They guide people through the medical system.

Providers can be:

• Family doctors
• Internal medicine doctors
• Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN)
• Specialists who focus on one part of the body or one type of procedure (such as surgeons and cardiologists)

Providers can also be other trained medical professionals, such as:

• Physician's assistant or associate (PA)
• Physical therapist (PT)
• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Nurse (RN or LPN)
• Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
• Social worker
• Speech therapist
• Psychologist
• Dietitian (RD)