Most of what a doctor learns at a visit comes from you: what changed, when it started, what you are taking and what worries you. A little preparation turns a rushed appointment into a useful one, and it matters most when you have several conditions, see more than one specialist, or are helping a parent with their care.

The checklist below draws on guidance from the National Institute on Aging and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Print it, copy it into your phone, or keep it in the folder you bring to appointments.

A few days before

The National Institute on Aging suggests starting a list ahead of time and putting your main concerns at the top, so they come up early instead of in the last two minutes. Three or four priorities is a realistic number for one visit.

  • Your top concerns. Write each one as a short sentence. “Tired by 3 p.m. most days since August” is more useful than “fatigue.”
  • New symptoms in detail. When it started, how often it happens, how long it lasts, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your day.
  • Changes since your last visit. A fall, a hospital or urgent care stop, a new specialist, a change in sleep, appetite, mood or memory.
  • Questions about tests or treatment. If you had labs or imaging elsewhere, note where and when so the results can be requested.

Your medication list

This is the single most useful thing you can bring. AHRQ recommends bringing every medicine you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements, and knowing your current conditions, past surgeries and illnesses. Some doctors prefer the bottles themselves; others are happy with a complete list. Either way, include:

  • The name and dose of each prescription, and how you actually take it (which may differ from the label).
  • Over-the-counter medicines you use regularly, such as pain relievers, sleep aids, antacids and allergy pills.
  • Vitamins, supplements, herbal products and eye drops.
  • Anything you stopped recently, and why.
  • Allergies and past bad reactions to medicines.

If you take five or more medicines, ask for a dedicated review. Our article on medication reviews for older adults explains what that involves.

What to bring on the day

  • Your list of concerns and your medication list.
  • Insurance and Medicare cards and a photo ID.
  • Recent results or records from other doctors, if the office does not already have them.
  • Home readings, such as a blood pressure or blood sugar log. See home blood pressure monitoring for how to take readings the right way.
  • Your glasses and working hearing aids, which the National Institute on Aging specifically reminds people to bring.
  • A notepad, or a family member or friend who can take notes.

Bringing someone helps, especially for a new diagnosis or a complicated plan. The NIA’s guidance is to choose a person who can listen and write things down without taking over the conversation. If you want to record the visit, ask the doctor first.

For a video visit, the same list applies. Find a quiet, well-lit spot, have your medicine bottles within reach, and test your camera and sound a few minutes early.

During the visit and before you leave

Start with your top concern, even if it feels awkward. Be specific and honest about how you are taking your medicines and about alcohol, sleep and mood. Doctors can only work with what they hear.

AHRQ’s 10 questions you should know are a good template. Before you leave, make sure you can answer these:

  1. What do you think is going on, and how sure are we?
  2. What is this test or medicine for, and what are the side effects?
  3. Are there other options, including waiting and watching?
  4. When and how will I get my results?
  5. What should I do if things get worse, and who do I call?
  6. When should I come back?

Repeat the plan back in your own words. It is a simple way to catch a misunderstanding before it becomes a missed dose or a skipped test.

After the visit

Update your medication list the same day if anything changed, and throw out the old version. Put follow-up tests and appointments on the calendar. If you were referred to a specialist, ask how the two offices will share notes. Our piece on the annual physical covers what a yearly visit should include.

At Legacy Medical, visits are unhurried by design, and Dr. Shtern reviews your records and medicines with you rather than around you. Members can reach the practice by phone at any hour, and video visits are available through telehealth. If you are considering a change, the first step is a complimentary meet and greet.

This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Members can call the office with questions about their own care.