Doctor's appointment checklist: 3 tips on preparing properly

1. Before going to the doctor

Before going to the doctor, think about your expectations and what you want to achieve:

• Are you feeling well and (just) want a general check-up?

• Are you feeling unwell and want to know exactly why?

• Have you had a diagnosis and now want to discuss it in detail with a specialist?

• Are you already having treatment, and have further questions about it?

• Are you struggling with a (new) treatment and want information on alternatives?

• Do you have doubts, or are uneasy, but don't know how to talk to the doctor about it?

As a general rule, before your appointment you should make a note of all appointments that you have had with health professionals in the past two to four weeks, as well as any medication that you are already taking. Don’t forget to include homeopathic medicines, food supplements (calcium, magnesium, etc.), alternative treatments such as acupuncture, and over-the-counter products such as St. John's Wort. This herbal remedy is used to treat depression, stress, anxiety and sleep disorders, and has been proven to cause interactions with certain other medications so that these may not work as effectively as they should.

2. First visit to a new doctor (family doctor or specialist)

The relationship between you and your doctor is a crucial point to consider when preparing for an appointment. Do you already have a relationship of trust, or are you going to them for the first time? It is especially important to prepare well when seeing a new specialist. Make a complete list of all appointments with medical professionals over the past four weeks, as well as all of the medication you take, and take it with you to the appointment. You should also draw up a schedule of past procedures, accidents, treatments and allergies, etc. Depending on the problem and the specialist, you should also take the following documents along:

• A list of all medication, food supplements and alternative medicines that you take

• Earlier test results

• A list of all of your appointments with medical professionals in recent months

• Hospital reports

• X-rays

• CT and MRI scans

• Vaccination records

• Insurance card

• Referral from your family doctor

3. Key questions for your doctor

The following questions are important to ask, especially if you have just been given a new diagnosis.

• What does the illness or health issue actually mean?

  The diagnosis will determine what needs to happen next. You therefore need to be clear about your own state of health. Is the diagnosis 100% certain? Why is the doctor sure that the findings mean condition X, not condition Y? Ask for the test results as well as an estimate of the severity of your condition. Especially if the diagnosis is an emotionally difficult one, you should ask your doctor whether any support is available. They might be able to put you in touch with a patients’ association or counselling service, for example.

• What are the alternative treatment options?

  There are almost always a number of ways of treating a given condition. Ask your doctor about alternative therapies or medication.

• What are the pros and cons of the recommended treatment?

  Find out about what a treatment can offer, but also about the potential harm that it can do. That will give you a rounded picture of your planned therapy.

• What happens if I do nothing?

  Certain diagnoses do not necessarily require action. Some complaints will disappear by themselves, or will not necessarily improve with treatment. Talk to your doctor about what might happen if you do not want to undergo treatment.

• What can I do for myself?

  Take personal responsibility, and ask your doctor for specific advice on what you can do to support your health. Even if your condition is chronic, your actions can play an active part in improving how it progresses.

• Do I need another appointment?

  At the end of the visit, you must be clear about what specific steps you should take next. Another appointment may be a purely precautionary measure. Find out about when to go back to the doctor. It might make sense to make an appointment anyway, even if it is for a much later date.

Finally, you should also be aware of your rights. Did you know that you can request a copy of all test results and findings? This is particularly helpful if you need follow-up treatment from a specialist.