Finally scheduled that eye exam or annual checkup? Well done on being proactive about your health. But if you want to optimize your time with your provider, there are still some simple steps you can take to prep before your appointment.

“A lot needs to happen in our short visit together,” says Robert F. Raspa, MD. Dr. Raspa is a family physician and faculty member with St. Vincent’s Family Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The average time a doctor spends with a patient is only 22 minutes, Dr. Raspa says. To make the most out of every one of those minutes, use these helpful tips.

Tip #1: Make a list.

Many people get home after a doctor’s visit and realize they’d forgotten to ask a certain question. Before your appointment, write down your health concerns and questions so you won’t forget anything when you meet with the doctor. Put things in order of how important they are since you might not get to everything. (Remember — 22 minutes.) Be sure to include anything that’s been bothering you lately, no matter how small.

One more thing to add to the list: the names of all the medications you take so your doctor can review them. That includes supplements and over-the-counter medications. This is especially key if you’re taking multiple medications prescribed by different providers. It can help your doctor avoid dangerous interactions. Or it might point to what’s behind a symptom you’re experiencing.

At your appointment, show your list to your intake nurse during check-in and then to your doctor right away (in case not everything on your list was passed along). “Letting me see your list will help me prioritize our time together,” says Dr. Raspa. If you don’t make it through the entire list? Make a note and ask the doctor if you can follow up later.

Tip #2: Know your history.

Your family’s medical history can offer some important clues about health issues you might come up against. Knowing if your family has a history of high blood pressure, certain cancers, or heart disease can also help guide your doctor on health screenings you might need and when. Say your dad had colon cancer, for instance. You might need to be screened before the recommended age of 45.

Before your appointment, make a call to your parents and grandparents, if you can. Ask them about any health issues in the family. And be sure to take notes so you don’t forget.

Tip #3: Speak up!

Talking about your health can be uncomfortable. Maybe you’re embarrassed about how much junk food you eat or your loss of interest in sex. Perhaps bowel changes or mental health or addiction problems are on your list of concerns. It’s natural to feel awkward about certain behaviors or symptoms. But don’t let it stop you from bringing them up.

“Those topics are never fun to talk about. But we’ve heard it all before,” Dr. Raspa says. “You won’t shock us.”

Keep in mind that your doctor wants to help you. To do that, they need complete and correct information. To put yourself more at ease, let your doctor know you’re a little reluctant. Open with something like, “This is uncomfortable for me to talk about.” That shows you’re feeling vulnerable and would be grateful for a more compassionate response.

Tip #4: Bring along a family member or friend.

If you’re seeing a specialist, going through treatment, or nervous about getting bad news, having a friend or family member by your side can be very helpful. They can be a second set of eyes and ears to help remember details of your talk with the doctor and to ask questions.

“The best thing your loved one can do is take notes for you,” Dr. Raspa says. “Give them permission ahead of time to speak up and ask questions.” Often, it’s the patient’s partner or family member who asks for more details about a test or a medication, Dr. Raspa says.

Before your appointment, check with your doctor’s office to see if they’ll let a visitor join in person. If not, bring them into the room virtually. Before you start talking with your doctor, call your loved one. Angle the phone so they can hear everyone. Give them a job, like listening to your doctor’s orders, so they can ask clarifying questions. Even if they don’t speak during the appointment, having a companion can help calm your nerves.

Tip #5: Record your conversation.

Whether or not you have a buddy with you, you might also want to record your visit. Research shows that patients are better able to recall and understand information their doctors gave them after they listen to a recorded version.

Always ask for your doctor’s okay before you start recording, even if you don’t legally need their permission. In 39 states and Washington, D.C., only one party in a conversation has to agree to be recorded. That could be you, the person making the recording. But in 11 states, both the person recording and anyone being recorded must give consent. Either way, being open and honest with your doctor is a good way to set the stage for a positive relationship.

[Sources:]

[1] Tsulukidze M, Durand M, Barr PJ, et al. “Providing a Recording of Clinical Consultation to Patients — a Highly Valued but Underutilized Intervention: A Scoping Review.” Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 95, no. 3, June 2014: 297-304.

[2] “State, Federal Laws Govern Whether Doctor Visits Can Be Recorded.” AAP News, American Academy of Pediatrics, April 30, 2019, https://www.aappublications.org/news/2019/04/30/law043019. Accessed October 10, 2021.

[3] “American Cancer Society Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening.” American Cancer Society, November 17, 2020, https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8606.00.pdf. Accessed October 10, 2021.