Appointment Preparation

Actively communicating and participating with your doctor can improve the quality of your medical care.

You can start by practicing a few simple steps:

Prepare for your visit

Spend a few minutes before your appointment to think over the topics you want to discuss with your doctor. Making a list is always helpful.

Take your time

Relax when talking to your doctor and don't skip over topics because of time. Your health is the most important thing.

Speak honestly

Don't be embarrassed to describe the details of your condition and concerns. Your doctor is a professional.

Listen

What your doctor says is important information. Try writing down the doctor's instructions to help you remember.

Ask questions

If there is anything that's not clear or you need more information, don't hesitate to speak up.

Be on time

It's important to be on time so your doctor can keep all of his or her other appointments. If you're running late, call ahead. This helps your doctor with rescheduling appointments. Please be patient if your doctor is running behind.