4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Doctor’s Visit
Learn how to make the most out of your doctor’s visit with tips including note taking and list making.
A Primary Care Physician (PCP) is a doctor you see regularly—when you have a health problem or chronic condition (such as high blood pressure or diabetes), when you’re not sick but need a checkup, and when you’re due for health screenings or vaccines.
It’s important to have a PCP to have one doctor who sees the big picture. Your PCP knows your medical history, looks for trends in your health, and can connect the dots if you see specialists.
1. Make a list.
Before your appointment, jot down questions and issues you’d like to focus on.
2. Be honest.
Your doctor needs a full picture of your lifestyle to give you the best treatment possible. Share all that you can about your diet, exercise habits, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. Speak up if you’re having trouble taking your medications.
3. Take notes.
Writing down what you hear helps you remember details when the visit is over. Feel free to ask the doctor to repeat information or to review your notes. If you have a smartphone, record a voice memo of your visit. Some doctors can provide printouts about the visit, your conditions, and your medications.
4. Summarize what you heard.
Repeat what the doctor told you in your own words to make sure you got it right, and ask questions until you understand everything.
For more benefits of having a PCP plus tips for how to find one, visit cloverhealth.com/pcpblog.
If you’re a Clover Health member looking for a PCP, visit cloverhealth.com/members/find-provider.
This article was originally published in the Summer 2022 issue of Clover Living magazine. Want to see more articles like this? Subscribe to Clover Living magazine for free (if you aren’t already subscribed) here.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan
Published on 11/09/22
Photo credit: Getty
