7 Tips to Get the Most From a Doctor's Visit

It’s a ritual we’d all just as soon forget: our annual check up. Especially if you’re feeling pretty good. But you take your car in for an annual inspection. Your dog goes to the vet every year. And you should have your annual check up. Guys are the worst about it. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), even excluding pregnancy-related visits, women are 33 percent more likely than men to visit a doctor.

Here’s my take. Your annual exam is one of the most important things you will do this year. It’s your special time to discuss your current health status, to establish your health goals for the coming year, and an opportunity to make a wellness plan with your healthcare provider. But we all know that the time spent with the doctor is sometimes too short to get all of that done. These seven tips will help you get organized and get the most out of your visit.

1. Understand Wellness!

First, understand why you go. Of course you want to find out if you have an illness. But I view wellness and illness as a continuum (see wellness/illness scale below). In most instances, we aren’t well one day and sick the next. Think of wellness as a scale from 1 to 10. You may continue to feel well until you reach 7, but by then your scale is tipped to illness. By taking the necessary steps to be healthier both physically and emotionally before the balance tips to illness, you are much more likely to stay well and never reach 7+ on the wellness/illness scale.

2. Bring some essentials with you.

Bring something to write on and something to write with.

Most people are anxious when they go to their doctor and forget their questions or answers the doctor tells them. Write down your questions ahead of time and write down the doctor’s answers and recommendations as you get them.

Bring a friend or family member.

It can be very helpful to have an extra set of ears to listen. Friends and family can be asked to leave during an exam to avoid an awkward situation, but having them there for any discussions can be very reassuring and help assure you get the answers you need. Studies show that many patients don’t remember more than 10 percent of what they are told during a doctor’s visit. If English isn’t your first language, ask for an interpreter.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Debbie C.

6:29PM PST on Mar 7, 2012

I always talk a list of all my medications and any changes in them with me. I also write down any questions I want to ask him.

What is ironic is that I went for my physical 3 weeks ago and I was just fine. The very next day, I had a sore throat and a nasty sinus infection. I have always heard that a doctors office is full of germs. I guess I found some that day on the magazine I was reading. Next time, I will take my own book.

send a green star

Tim C.

10:20AM PST on Mar 1, 2012

Past Member .

10:53PM PST on Feb 29, 2012

In the old days, when I used to go to doctors, I took along a list.

The doctors appreciated it.

Nina A.

8:02AM PST on Feb 28, 2012

Good tips. Thanks.

Carole R.

10:35PM PST on Feb 27, 2012

11:42AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

Dale O.

1:36PM PST on Feb 26, 2012

Very useful information, it always helps to write things down!

1:35PM PST on Feb 26, 2012

Interesting and useful information.

Ra S.

8:27PM PST on Feb 25, 2012

It can also be helpful to generally write down when you have some health problem crop up. Some problems are intermittent, and you may not think of them when it is close to your appointment, but they can be important to mention. So, making a general habit of noting down problems when you notice them can make it take less time for you to get them addressed by a doctor. This is particularly helpful when you aren't young and healthy and less prone to significant symptoms (although even a young person can develop a serious medical issue).

Elaine A.

5:48PM PST on Feb 25, 2012

Ask lots of questions.