WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not uncommon for a 20-year-old to text his mother in a panic from the doctor’s office, looking for help answering a question. And patients of any age can struggle to remember all their medications — or forget to mention a concern.
Getting the most out of a visit to the doctor requires some preparation. Even professionals plan ahead.
“It’s very hard — even for me as a doctor, going to see my own family doctor — to remember the things I wanted to bring up,” said Dr. Sarah Nosal, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “The worst is when you’ve had that moment with your doctor,” only to remember another problem after you’ve left, she said. “You wasted that time.”
Her top tip: Bring a list of symptoms and questions to display at the start of your visit. The first item should be your primary concern, but seeing the full list helps your doctor prioritize what is most medically urgent.
“Actually, I’ll be able to see, is there a red flag?” explained Nosal, who has some tips on preparing for a typical primary care visit.
Your primary care physician monitors your general health
Some diseases require specialists such as cardiologist or rheumatologist. But regardless of your age or how healthy you are, research has long shown that a relationship with a primary care provider is important for overall health. It could be a family doctor like Nosal, who cares for all ages, or an internist. Some patients choose gynecologists, geriatricians, or have a primary care team that includes nurse practitioners or medical assistants.
Primary care is more than preventive checks to help avoid disease, such as vaccinations, cancer screening or health advice. It also includes detecting and treating common problems, such as high blood pressure, and helping to find and coordinate specialist care.
“That ongoing relationship also helps me get to know your ‘normal,'” Nosal explained. “If something is different or changes or feels off, when you tell me that information and I’ve gotten to know you over time, we can really figure out together what’s going on.”
Test your family before the meeting
Young adults navigating health care alone for the first time may need help filling out personal medical history forms. Have you ever had general anesthesia? Have you had your tetanus vaccination up to date?
If you still have access to the patient portal from your former pediatrician’s office, you can see records of previous vaccinations and illnesses, or you may need to request them or query the parents.
For all ages, family medical history is essential and requires regular updating. Ask what illnesses your close relatives have had and how they coped. For example, if type 2 diabetes runs in the family, or grandma had a stroke, or someone had cancer at a young age, that information could help tailor your preventive care, Nosal said.
Complete your paperwork before your visit
Filling out paperwork at home makes it easy to check medication bottles for name and dosage. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medications, pills or creams—and don’t forget vitamins and supplements.
Why are the latter important? Some may interact with prescription medications. Nosal cited several patients whose long-term treatments stopped working after they started taking turmeric, a spice also sold as a supplement.
Also, before your visit, check to see if the doctor has received records of recent lab tests, hospitalizations, or visits to other health providers, as electronic medical records are not always shared automatically.
Keep a list of questions before a doctor’s visit
Some symptoms are serious enough to warrant an emergency visit. But if a checkup is coming up, whether it’s routine or to track health issues, start a list of questions in advance.
Do you notice pain when you move a certain way? Or talking to a friend who just had a colonoscopy and wondering if you need one? Get them on your list right away, before you forget—and be specific in describing your symptoms.
Nosal keeps a to-do list on her phone and, before visits to her own doctor, sends it as a reminder through her patient portal. Patients can also include their list in visit check-in forms.
The idea is to address the most urgent questions first, rather than patients running out of time before raising a key issue. Nosal said questions about mental or sexual health and wellness tend to come up especially at the last minute.
Regardless of the medium, “please bring the list,” she said. “This is the most critical of all the pieces.”
It’s okay to ask again
People may know to ask questions about treatments, such as how well they work and what side effects to expect. But it is also important to understand why a doctor makes a certain diagnosis or, conversely, is not as concerned about a symptom as you might be.
Don’t hesitate to say, “Explain to me what else can happen,” Nosal advised. “What would be the next step? How would you evaluate this for me, so I know if it’s this or that?”
Most health advocacy groups also recommend bringing a friend or relative, especially if you have serious or multiple health problems. They can help ask questions and take notes.
“Whether you’re 20 or 85, you’re not going to remember everything from your medical visit,” Nosal said.
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