Preparing for a Healthcare Appointment

Healthcare visits can feel short. You may have only a few minutes with a healthcare professional, and it is easy to forget a question once you are in the exam room. If you drove a long way to get there, you want that time to count. A little preparation can help.

Before your appointment

Confirm the details

• Double-check the date, time, and address. Some clinics have more than one location.
• Ask whether the visit is in person, by phone, or by video.
• Ask if you need to do anything ahead of time, such as skip eating before a lab test.
• If you have insurance, confirm the clinic accepts your plan.

Plan your trip

• Give yourself extra travel time for weather, road work, or finding parking.
• If you need a ride, ask the clinic, your health plan, or local community organizations whether transportation help is available. It is best to ask several days ahead.
• If you might need to take time off work or arrange child care, plan for that early.

Gather what to bring

• Your insurance card (if you have one) and a photo ID
• A list of all medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements, with how much and how often. You can also bring the bottles.
• Names and contact information for your other healthcare professionals and your pharmacy
• Any recent test results or records from other clinics
• A notebook or phone for taking notes

Write down your concerns

Make a short list of what you want to talk about. Put the most important item first, in case time runs short. For each symptom, it helps to note:

• When it started
• How often it happens
• What makes it better or worse
• How it affects your daily life

Also think about any changes since your last visit, such as a hospital stay, new medicines, or major life events.

During your appointment

• Start with your top concern. You might say, "The main thing I want to talk about today is…"
• Be open and honest. Healthcare professionals hear about all kinds of topics. Sharing the full picture helps them help you.
• Ask questions. If you do not understand a word or an instruction, it is okay to say so. You can ask, "Can you explain that in a different way?"
• Repeat it back. Saying the plan in your own words is a good way to check that you understood.
• Bring someone along if it helps. A family member or friend can take notes and help you remember.
• Ask for an interpreter if you need one. Many clinics can provide language help.

Before you leave

Make sure you know:

• What the next steps are, such as tests, a new medicine, or a referral
• How and when you will get test results
• Whether you need a follow-up visit, and if it could be done by telehealth
• Who to call if you have questions later, and the best number to use

Ask for written instructions or a visit summary. Many clinics also offer an online patient portal where you can see notes and results.

After your appointment

• Review your notes while the visit is fresh.
• Fill any prescriptions and ask your pharmacist if you have questions about how to take them.
• Schedule tests or follow-ups. If you travel far, ask whether they can be grouped on the same day.
• Follow up if you have not heard about test results by the time you were told to expect them.

If it is a telehealth visit

• Test your phone, tablet, or computer and internet connection ahead of time.
• Find a quiet, private spot with good lighting.
• Have your medicine list and questions nearby.
• Ask what to do if the call drops.

When to talk with a healthcare professional

Do not wait for your next scheduled visit if a symptom gets worse or you have a new concern. Call your clinic and ask whether you should be seen sooner. In an emergency, call 911.

This page is for general education and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.