How to Have a Successful Doctor’s Appointment
5 Tips for a successful consultation.
Shivering, I sat on a hard exam table with a thin paper gown draped over me.
As the nurse exited my exam room, she told me the doctor would be right in. Looking at my watch, it showed thirty minutes had gone by.
When the doctor finally began the appointment, he was trying to make up for being behind. He fired one question after another at me. He was talking so fast, my mind struggled to keep up.
By the time he asked me if I had any questions, my mind went blank. It wasn’t until I was driving home that I remembered the three questions I wanted to ask. I was so frustrated since I had waited two months for an appointment with this specialist.
I knew I needed to come up with a better strategy for getting the most out of my limited time with the doctor.
Dealing with chronic illness for over 35 years, I’ve gained some insights.
Having met and spoken with many physicians and specialists in all areas of medicine, I have learned it’s essential to master the art of the office visit.
The average doctor appointment lasts about 15 minutes. That is a very short amount of time to cram in a lot of information.
When the doctor or nurse is in a hurry, it can be difficult to think clearly and recall everything you’ve been thinking about since requesting the appointment.
Here are some tips for a productive visit:
Be prepared.
If you haven’t taken time to think about what you want to accomplish, there is a good chance of walking away with very little help or information.
Ask yourself, “What’s the goal of this appointment? What do I want to get from it?”
Seeking a diagnosis is a much different kind of conversation than seeking help for a sprained ankle.
List your symptoms and how long you’ve had them.
Patients have a tendency to go blank when asked for a list of all their symptoms.
When asked on the spot how long a symptom has been happening, many people don’t remember accurately.
For anyone whose health requires frequent doctor appointments, I recommend keeping a daily health journal tracking symptoms.
Each symptom is a clue to solving the puzzle of what is happening in your body. The doctor needs all the clues you can provide.
Having a written list of symptoms will make the conversation easier. Sometimes, the nurse will make a copy of your list for their records.
Have a written list of questions.
With so many distractions during the visit, if you don’t have your questions in front of you, you could forget one or more of them.
I’ve been known to miss asking a question I had written on the list in my hand!
If possible, have another person with you.
It is very helpful if another person can hear the conversation and remember something that was said if you don’t.
Communication between a doctor and a patient can be complicated. Utilizing another person’s memory can be very helpful.
The other person can also take notes while the patient concentrates on answering the doctor’s questions and listening to their instructions.
If this is not an option for you, try to write notes as you’re able.
If you’re unable to write things down during the appointment, do so as soon as you get to the car or back to your house.
Write out the next steps. Did they say they would schedule a test for you or do you need to schedule it? Did they recommend you call the pharmacist with a question? Did they say to make another follow-up appointment? Did they recommend trying an over-the-counter medicine? Those are easy details to forget.
Ask as many questions as needed.
If you don’t understand something, be honest with the doctor. Don’t be embarrassed because you’re not sure you understand.
The medical profession uses words most people have never heard. If you’re confused, speak up.
For example, my doctor told me I would have to try a new medicine for 3 months, and if it didn’t work, we would need to do another MRI and go with a stronger antibiotic.
He was using many big words and talking about different kinds of medicine, so I wasn’t sure which one he was actually prescribing.
I said, “I just want to make sure I understand you correctly. You’re telling me I’m going to take Augmentin for 3 months, and if I’m not better and my MRI doesn’t show improvement, we’ll try Azithromycin.”
This allows him to confirm if I’m understanding correctly. Many misunderstandings can happen when discussing unfamiliar words and technical jargon.
When you take the time to plan before your consultation, you increase the chances of having a productive appointment where your needs are met.
Your health is too important not to do your best at making the most of the appointment time.
I am a Christian Author who writes 1-minute devotionals on Substack and Medium.
I host a 4-minute weekly podcast called Kate’s Devotional Podcast, which can be found on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you find podcasts.
