How to prepare for a doctor's appointment
Before your yearly physical, write a short list: each symptom with when it began, how often it shows up and what eases or worsens it, every medicine and supplement you take, and your top three questions. Add your family history. In the room, say the most worrying thing first, be honest about drinking and sleep, and repeat back the plan before you leave.
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Mark it once you can do it without this page open.
How to do it
- Write down each symptom: when it started, how often, how bad on a scale of one to ten, and what helps or worsens it.
- List every prescription, over-the-counter medicine and supplement, or bring the bottles.
- Write down your family history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and mental health conditions.
- Choose your top three questions and put the most worrying one first.
- Be honest about alcohol, smoking, drugs, sleep, mood and sex; the clinician is not there to judge.
- Take notes or bring someone you trust to listen.
- Before you leave, repeat back what the plan is, what to watch for, and when to follow up.
- Use the patient portal to check results and send follow-up questions.
Stop and call a professional if
- A symptom is getting worse quickly, or you have chest pain, trouble breathing or signs of stroke: call 911 rather than waiting for an appointment.
- You leave confused about your results or plan: call the office or message through the portal.
- This page explains what to watch for; it cannot tell you what is wrong. Only a clinician who examines you can.
Common mistakes
- Mentioning the real worry at the door on the way out.
- Downplaying pain or symptoms to seem tough.
- Forgetting supplements, which can interact with prescriptions.
- Leaving without knowing the next step.
Quick self-check
Three questions. Your last score is kept in this browser.
Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to prepare for a doctor's appointment
What to say
Before your yearly physical, write a short list: each symptom with when it began, how often it shows up and what eases or worsens it, every medicine and supplement you take, and your top three questions. Add your family history. In the room, say the most worrying thing first, be honest about drinking and sleep, and repeat back the plan before you leave.
What to show, in order
- Write down each symptom: when it started, how often, how bad on a scale of one to ten, and what helps or worsens it.
- List every prescription, over-the-counter medicine and supplement, or bring the bottles.
- Write down your family history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and mental health conditions.
- Choose your top three questions and put the most worrying one first.
- Be honest about alcohol, smoking, drugs, sleep, mood and sex; the clinician is not there to judge.
- Take notes or bring someone you trust to listen.
- Before you leave, repeat back what the plan is, what to watch for, and when to follow up.
- Use the patient portal to check results and send follow-up questions.
When to stop and call a professional
- A symptom is getting worse quickly, or you have chest pain, trouble breathing or signs of stroke: call 911 rather than waiting for an appointment.
- You leave confused about your results or plan: call the office or message through the portal.
- This page explains what to watch for; it cannot tell you what is wrong. Only a clinician who examines you can.
The check question
Ask: You came in for a sore knee but have had chest twinges on the stairs. What do you mention first?
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- Every skill in Health and Body Upkeep
Last reviewed . First published .