Hands writing a list in a notebook on a wooden table beside a phone

How to Prepare for a Doctor Visit: A Simple Checklist

ByIrene Novak

Doctor visits can feel short. It’s easy to walk out and remember the one thing you meant to ask.

A little planning helps. These steps are based on guidance from the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Before Your Visit

  1. List your concerns, then pick your top three. NIA suggests choosing three or four questions that matter most. Bring them up at the start of the visit, not at the end.
  2. Jot down your symptoms. Note when each one started, how often it happens, and whether it’s getting better or worse.
  3. Gather your medicines. Put everything in a bag, or make a list. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. NIA also reminds you not to forget eye drops and laxatives.
  4. Pack the basics. Bring your insurance cards, the names and phone numbers of your other doctors, and your pharmacy’s phone number.
  5. Bring your glasses and hearing aid. Make sure your hearing aid is working, and let the staff know if seeing or hearing is hard.

NIA offers free Talking With Your Doctor worksheets that can help you organize all of this.

Consider Bringing Someone

A family member or friend can remind you what you planned to ask and take notes for you.

Tell them ahead of time how they can help. The visit is still between you and your doctor, so it’s fine to ask for some time alone.

During the Visit

  • Take notes. Write down the main points, or ask the doctor to write them for you.
  • Check that you understand. Repeat what you heard in your own words and ask, “Is this correct?”
  • Ask about any word you don’t know. It’s OK to say, “Could you explain that a little more?”
  • Ask “What’s next?” If you need a test, ask how you’ll get the results and how long they’ll take. If you get a new medicine, ask the doctor to write down how often and how long to take it.

After the Visit

Questions often come up once you’re home. NIA suggests calling the office, or asking whether you can send questions through an email address or online patient portal.

If your doctor’s office has a portal, ask the staff what you can use it for and how to sign up.

And if you want to stop a medicine, check with your doctor first, as NIA advises.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own health.

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