A guide to the most effective in-person doctor’s appointment.

Sometimes an upcoming trip to the doctor can leave us in a state of unease. What if we forget something? What if the news is bad?

These anxieties are normal, and can even be preventable if we are just a little more prepared before going in. There are a few things you can do to ease your anxiety and make sure your appointment goes smoothly.

This month we focus on in-person appointments. If you will be seeing your doctor via Telehealth, see our previous blog the Guide to the Most Effective Telehealth Session.

Things to do a few days before your in-person appointment : 

• Soon after making your appointment, you will often get paperwork to be filled out in advance via email. Here’s why it's a good idea to actually fill it out ahead of time:

  • Often doctors schedules are pretty tight. You want to maximize your time getting care and get your questions answered, not waste it filling out paperwork in the waiting room. 

• Make sure you don’t need a referral from your primary care doctor to see this doctor. 

• Check that this doctor accepts your insurance and that you are “in-network”, especially if this is your first time at this office.

• If there are multiple offices within the same practice, confirm which office your appointment is scheduled at and make sure you know how to get there. 

• Check if there’s parking available. 

• See if you are able to bring a companion. 

  • Having a friend or family member may be helpful to take down important information, or if you are having trouble getting around they can assist you. 

• Make sure the doctor has everything the may need for your appointment

  • If you had tests ordered like X-rays or bloodwork. Be sure to complete those orders at least 24hrs before the appointment or as specified by your doc.

  • Have the results sent over to the doc in advance. Extra points if you bring your own copy. 

• Write down questions you have for the doctor and bring them with you. 

Day of: 

• You will likely need:

  • A form of identification

  • Your insurance information

  • Your previous medical history (if visiting a new office)

• Arrive 15 minute early (Spoiler - don’t expect to be taken in early just because you arrive early). This will actually just help you get in to the doc on time for your time slot.

• Be sure to ask all of your questions, even the scary ones.

• Take a copy of any lab reports or imaging reports that were reviewed with you. Also take home your CD with any advanced imaging like MRIs or CT scans.

• Make your follow-up appointment while you are in the office. You can always change it if needed but it’s good to get something on the books. 

After your appointment: 

• Follow through on any tests the doc ordered.

  • If you are having second thoughts on the necessity of the test, message the doctor for further clarification.

  • If you ultimately decide against it, let the doc know you won’t be having the test done.

    
    

To help you remember,

I’ve created this save-able and printable checklist.

You can click the JPEG image below to download it on a mobile device.

If you want to print from a computer, click the button to open the PDF version, and from there you can save the file to print.

- Be well,

Dr.D