WASHINGTON \u2014 It\u2019s not unusual for a 20-something to text Mom in a panic from the doctor\u2019s office, seeking help answering a question. And patients of any age can struggle to recall all their medicines \u2014 or forget to mention a concern.<\/p>\n
Getting the most out of a doctor\u2019s visit requires some advance preparation. Even the professionals plan ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is really hard \u2014 even for me as a doctor going to see my own family doctor \u2014 to remember the things that I wanted to bring up,\u201d said Dr. Sarah Nosal, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. \u201cThe worst is when you\u2019ve had that moment with your doctor\u201d only to recall another problem after walking out, she said. \u201cYou\u2019ve lost that time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her top tip: Bring a list of symptoms and questions to show at the start of the visit. The first item should be your top concern, but seeing the full list helps your doctor prioritize what\u2019s most medically urgent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m actually going to be able to see, is there a red flag?\u201d explained Nosal, who has some advice about prepping for a typical primary care visit.<\/p>\n
Your primary care doctor monitors your overall health<\/p>\n
Some illnesses require specialists like a cardiologist or rheumatologist. But regardless of your age or how healthy you are, research has long shown that a relationship with a primary care provider is important for overall health. It might be a family physician like Nosal, who cares for all ages, or an internist. Some patients choose gynecologists, geriatricians, or have a primary care team that includes nurse practitioners or physician assistants.<\/p>\n
Primary care is more than preventive checkups to help avoid illness, such as vaccinations, cancer screenings or health advice. It also includes detecting and treating common problems like high blood pressure, and helping to find and coordinate specialty care.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat ongoing relationship also helps me know your \u2018normal,\u2019\u201d Nosal explained. \u201cIf something\u2019s different or changes or you feel off, when you tell me that information and I also have known you over time, we can really figure out together what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quiz your family before the appointment<\/p>\n
Young adults navigating health care on their own for the first time may need help filling out forms with their personal medical history. Have you ever had general anesthesia? Is your tetanus shot up to date?<\/p>\n
If you still have access to the patient portal at your former pediatrician\u2019s office, you can see records of vaccinations and prior illnesses, or you may have to request them or quiz parents.<\/p>\n
For all ages, family medical history is critical \u2014 and needs regular updating. Ask what diseases your close relatives have had and how they fared. For example, if Type 2 diabetes runs in the family, or Grandma had a stroke, or someone had cancer at a young age, that information could help tailor your preventive care, Nosal said.<\/p>\n
Fill out your paperwork ahead of the visit<\/p>\n
Filling out paperwork from home makes it easier to check medicine bottles for the name and dose. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, pills or creams \u2014 and don\u2019t forget vitamins and supplements.<\/p>\n
Why are the latter important? Some can interact with prescription medicines. Nosal cited some patients whose longtime treatments quit working after they started taking turmeric, a spice also sold as a supplement. <\/p>\n
Also before your visit, check if the doctor received records of recent lab tests, hospitalizations or visits to other health providers, since electronic medical records aren\u2019t always automatically shared.<\/p>\n
Keep a running list of questions before a doctor visit<\/p>\n
Some symptoms are bad enough to prompt an urgent visit. But if you\u2019ve got a checkup coming, whether it\u2019s routine or to follow up on health problems, start a list of questions in advance.<\/p>\n
Notice a pain when you move a certain way? Or chatting with a friend who just got a colonoscopy and wonder if you\u2019re due? Pop those on your list right away, before you forget \u2014 and be specific in describing symptoms.<\/p>\n
Nosal keeps a running list on her phone and, ahead of visits with her own doctor, sends it as a heads-up through her patient portal. Patients also can include their list on visit check-in forms.<\/p>\n
The idea is to address the most urgent questions first, rather than patients running out of time before raising a key concern. Nosal said questions about mental or sexual health and wellness especially tend to come up at the last minute.<\/p>\n
Whatever the medium, \u201cplease bring that list,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s the most critical of all pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s OK to ask again<\/p>\n
People may know to ask questions about treatments, such as how well they work and what side effects to expect. But it\u2019s also important to understand why a doctor makes a particular diagnosis or, conversely, isn\u2019t as worried about a symptom as you might be.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t hesitate to say, \u201cExplain to me what else could be going on,\u201d Nosal advised. \u201cWhat would be the next step? How would you evaluate that for me, to know if it\u2019s this or that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Most health advocacy groups also advise bringing along a friend or relative, especially if you have serious or multiple health problems. They can help ask questions and take notes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether you are 20 or you are 85, you will not remember everything from your medical visit,\u201d Nosal said.<\/p>\n
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute\u2019s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.<\/p>\n