Making the most of limited appointment time starts long before you walk through the door. Here’s how to prepare for a productive visit with your healthcare provider.
Ceciel Rooker
President and Executive Director, International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
A partnership between a patient and healthcare provider is essential when managing all chronic illnesses. Since the time spent with your healthcare provider is both limited and valuable, you can maximize it by following some simple guidelines before the visit.
When calling to schedule your appointment, ask about sending your previous medical records and what patient forms will need to be completed. Completing them before going to the office will allow you to provide complete and thoughtful responses. You may also want to ask about parking to ensure you have given yourself enough time for traffic and parking. If you will need to pay to park, ask if you will get a voucher. If you will need an interpreter or other accommodation, let them know in advance. If there is a cancellation list, ask to be added. An earlier appointment may become available.
What to bring
To prepare for your visit, gather the following information: Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking (or have taken in the past), including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal preparations. Be sure to include the dose, frequency, and timing of when you are taking them. Remember to bring your pharmacy’s name, address, phone number, and fax number. Also, create a list of all medication allergies or other allergies, and the type of reaction.
How to prepare your symptom summary
Before the visit, consider things you may be asked, such as your prior medical history; any family medical problems, including those of parents, siblings, and grandparents; and the names of other healthcare providers you see. Summarize observations regarding your symptoms in one to two sentences: what triggers them, what makes them worse, or what makes them better? Keeping a symptom diary to identify patterns may be helpful. Consider diet, external influences, or stressors that might have contributed to your symptoms. Analyze patterns before the visit so you can summarize them for your healthcare provider.
Identify the top one to three questions you would like to ask during the visit, keeping in mind that other questions can be addressed during subsequent visits. Writing a summary of your top priorities in one to two sentences and sharing it with your healthcare provider early in the visit will help you get the most out of it. For example: “The main reason for my visit is …” or “I hope we can focus on …” or “I am mostly worried about …”
Making the most of the appointment
Being fully prepared will help you make the most of the limited time you will have during the visit. However, the most crucial thing about this visit is the conversation you have with your healthcare provider. Be open and honest, not only about your symptoms, but also about how they affect your life. This will ensure the most effective use of your time together.
