How to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor’s Visit

The current health system can often be a complex environment to navigate and often requires the active participation of patients in preparing for their upcoming doctor’s visits. This active patient preparation helps get the most out of each visit, enables more quality time spent with the doctor and ultimately leads to better self-management of one’s health or condition outside of the clinic.

Bring all your medicines with you; if that is impractical make sure to photograph the medication bottles, injectables incl any over the counter supplements you may be taking. If you feel you may be experiencing any side effects of a medicine you are taking, share this with your provider early on the visit when confirming your medicine list. If you are seeking assistance in diabetes management, it is essential to have an accurate and updated list of the medicines you take, including sharing your own intake habits (e.g if struggling to take the medication as often as prescribed and in the actual prescribed dosing). The same can be said for those seeking assistance in managing their high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Prepare your own notes or reports of measured glucose levels. A practical approach is to bring your glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) reader with you. Many CGM glucose log data is also available via personal smartphones. Another practical approach is to enable your health care provider to access your CGM data via glucose sharing websites such as LibreView or Dexcom Clarity .

If there are diagnostic reports such as ultrasound reports, CT or MRI reports completed at an outside practice or healthcare network, and you believe those are pertinent to your condition, ask to make those available to your doctor as soon as you arrive at the clinic appointment at sign in or when making first contact with the medical assistant.  In a perfect world, health care reports get forwarded to the doctor’s office before your arrival. Real-world circumstances of high volumes of document administration, however, often dictate a slower pace, dominated by rigorous efforts at maintaining confidentiality of personal patient information by healthcare staff. Whenever possible, keep copies of imaging – and blood analysis reports within easy reach for sharing or forwarding to your health care team.