Health New England | Health Matters | Wellness Guide 2019

18 ∞ Health & Wellness Guide | 2019 How did your last medical appointment go? Did you get all your questions answered? Did you remember everything your doctor said? If you don’t think you’re getting the most out of your medical visits, there are some steps you can take before, during and after your appointments to make your visits more productive. Before Your Appointment Write down the questions you want to ask your doctor. You may want to start this list a day or so before your appointment so you can jot down questions as you think of them. The day of your appointment, put all your medicines into a bag. Include any over-the-counter medicines you take regularly, as well as any dietary supplements (like vitamins). Take the bag with you so you and your doctor can review all the medications you’re on. During Your Appointment Be as thorough as you can when describing your symptoms to your doctor. Ask questions to make sure you understand what your doctor is telling you. And be sure to ask all the questions you wrote down in advance of your appointment. If your doctor suggests a test, ask what you’ll need to do to get ready for it. Also ask your doctor how you will be notified of the results. If you’re concerned you won’t be able to remember everything your doctor tells you, consider bringing a friend or using an app to record the conversation. After Your Appointment Before you leave, ask your doctor if the clinic offers a patient portal that allows you to access your records online. Sign up for it as soon as you can after your visit is over. A patient portal allows you to view your diagnosis, test results, medications and other information anywhere. Having this information can help you prepare for your next appointment. Sources: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; American Academy of Family Physicians; National Institutes of Health Making the Most of Your Doctor’s Visit WELLNESS