General information only — not medical advice
Getting ready for a visit to the doctor does not have to be hard. This page turns the National Institute on Aging's tips into one simple checklist.
How to use this page: tap an item to check it off as you get ready. Tap it again to uncheck it.
Your check marks stay on this screen only. They are not saved, not sent anywhere, and not collected. If you leave this page, the marks are gone.
Each part also has a Listen button. Tap it to hear that part read out loud.
A basic plan can help you make the most of your appointment, whether you are starting with a new doctor or continuing with a doctor you have seen for years.
Make a list of what you want to discuss. If you have more than a few items to discuss, put them in order and ask about the most important ones first. Do not put off the things that are really on your mind until the end of your appointment. Bring them up right away.
A list like this might include:
Some doctors suggest you put all your prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements in a bag and bring them with you. Others recommend you bring a list of everything you take and the dose.
Sometimes it is helpful to bring a family member or close friend with you to the doctor's office.
Keep your doctor up to date. Let the doctor know what has happened in your life since your last visit.
Take your glasses to the appointment. If you have a hearing aid, make sure it is working well and wear it. Let the doctor and staff know if you have a hard time seeing or hearing.
If you need an interpreter at the doctor's office, request one.
Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA), “How to Prepare for a Doctor's Appointment,” at nia.nih.gov. The NIA is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Everything on this page comes from that source.
General information only — not medical advice