What to Bring to Your Doctor Appointment

Walking into a doctor’s office unprepared is one of the most common mistakes patients make. You might feel rushed, forget important details, or leave without answers. But a little prep work can change everything. In fact, patients who bring a complete medication list have 37% fewer medication errors during their visit, according to Mayo Clinic’s internal data.

Start with the basics: your health insurance card and a government-issued photo ID. Many clinics now require both just to check you in. If you’ve filled out any forms ahead of time - like new patient questionnaires or consent documents - bring those too. Don’t assume the office has them. Paperwork gets lost. Digital systems glitch.

Then comes the most important thing: your medication list. Not just a mental note. Write it down. Include every pill, patch, vitamin, or supplement. For each one, write:

• Full name (e.g., “Lisinopril 10 mg”)
• Dose (e.g., “1 tablet”)
• When you take it (e.g., “once daily, morning”)
• Why you take it (e.g., “for high blood pressure”)
• Who prescribed it (e.g., “Dr. Patel, 2023”)
• How long you’ve been taking it (e.g., “since January 2022”)

Don’t leave out over-the-counter stuff. Ibuprofen, antacids, melatonin, fish oil - they all matter. Same with herbal remedies. Some can interfere with prescriptions. One patient in Norwich came in with chest pain, and it turned out her daily turmeric supplement was thinning her blood. She didn’t think it counted as a “medication.”

Bring a list of your symptoms, too. Not just “I feel tired.” Write: “Tired since March 2024. Worse after meals. Sleeps 9 hours but still exhausted. No improvement with rest.” Add when it started, how often it happens, and what makes it better or worse. Use numbers. Rate pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Say how many times a week you have headaches, or how many steps you can walk before getting short of breath.

If you’ve had recent tests or scans - blood work, X-rays, MRIs - bring the results. Don’t rely on the doctor to remember them. Even if they’re in your electronic record, they might not have looked at them yet. Print them out or have them ready on your phone.

Family health history is often overlooked. Know your parents’ and siblings’ major conditions: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, mental health disorders. If your mother had breast cancer at 48, say that. If your dad had a heart attack at 52, mention it. This isn’t just small talk - it helps doctors spot patterns and risks you might not even know you have.

What to Discuss During Your Appointment

Your time with the doctor is limited. Don’t waste it on small talk. Go in with a clear purpose. Start with your top concern - the one keeping you up at night. Don’t save it for last. If you’re worried about weight gain, dizziness, or unusual fatigue, say it first.

Ask the big questions. Don’t be shy. Doctors expect them. Here are the most effective ones to use:

• “Why are you recommending this test or treatment?”
• “What are the side effects?”
• “Are there cheaper or simpler options?”
• “What happens if I don’t do anything?”
• “What would you recommend if this were your mother or father?”

These questions aren’t rude. They’re smart. A 2022 study from St. Joseph Hospital Bangor found that patients who asked 3-5 focused questions had an 89% success rate in getting their main concern resolved. Those who didn’t prepare? Only 63%.

Be honest about lifestyle habits. Doctors need to know:

• How much alcohol you drink - “2 drinks a week” not “a little”
• How often you smoke - “1 pack a day for 15 years” not “I used to smoke”
• How much you move - “I walk 20 minutes a day” not “I try to stay active”
• If you use any illegal substances - even once

These aren’t judgment calls. They’re medical facts. If you don’t tell them, they can’t help you. A patient in Norwich came in with high liver enzymes. She didn’t mention her weekend drinking. It took three visits and a blood test to connect the dots.

Bring up mental health. Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, stress - these are medical issues too. If you’ve been feeling down, overwhelmed, or unable to focus, say it. You don’t need to wait for your doctor to ask. Many clinics now screen for depression during annual visits. But if you’re struggling, don’t wait for the screening. Say something.

Ask about follow-up. Don’t leave without knowing the next step. Ask: “What should I watch for?” “When should I call if things get worse?” “Do I need to come back, or is this a one-time thing?” If you’re prescribed something new, ask: “How will I know if it’s working?”

How to Organize Your Information Before the Visit

Trying to remember everything the night before doesn’t work. Build a system. Keep a small notebook or use a note app on your phone. Add to it every time you take a new pill, feel a new symptom, or get a test result.

Set a reminder: three days before your appointment, open your notes. Update your medication list. Write down any new symptoms. Think about your questions. Write them down. Prioritize them. Put the most important one at the top.

If your clinic uses a patient portal - like MyChart or Patient Gateway - log in ahead of time. Many now let you submit your medication list and symptoms online before the visit. This saves time and ensures your doctor sees your notes before walking in. Cleveland Clinic’s AppointmentPass® system shows patients who use this feature complete their visit 22 minutes faster.

Some apps can help. Mayo Clinic’s app lets you sync your pharmacy records directly. If you get prescriptions from Boots, Tesco, or LloydsPharmacy, it can pull your list automatically. Apple Health and Google Fit can also import your activity, heart rate, and sleep data - useful if you’re tracking fitness or heart issues.

Don’t rely on memory. Even if you think you know your meds, you’ll forget one. Even if you think you’ve told your doctor everything, you’ll leave something out. Write it down. Always.

What Not to Do at Your Appointment

Don’t show up late. If your appointment is at 2 p.m., aim to be there by 1:45 p.m. Parking, finding the building, checking in - it all takes longer than you think. Mayo Clinic recommends arriving 15-25 minutes early. If you’re running late, call. Many clinics will still see you, but you might get less time.

Don’t bring a long list of unrelated complaints. You’ll overwhelm your doctor. Focus on 2-3 main issues. If you have more, write them down and say, “I have a few other things, but these are my top concerns.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. If your doctor says “hypertension,” ask what that means. If they say “get more exercise,” ask what that looks like for you. “Walk 30 minutes a day” is better than “be more active.”

Don’t let embarrassment stop you. If you’re having trouble with incontinence, sexual health, or mental health - say it. Doctors hear it every day. It’s not awkward for them. It’s their job.

Don’t assume you’ll remember everything. Bring someone with you. A partner, a child, a friend. They can take notes, ask questions you didn’t think of, and remind you later what was said. Studies show patients who bring a companion recall 50% more of what was discussed.

After the Appointment: What to Do Next

Don’t leave the office thinking you’ve got it all figured out. Take five minutes after your visit to write down what was said. What’s the diagnosis? What’s the plan? What meds were prescribed? When’s the next appointment?

If you were given a prescription, check the label. Does it match what the doctor said? If you’re confused, call the pharmacy. Don’t guess.

Set a reminder to follow up. If you were told to come back in six weeks, put it in your calendar. If you were told to watch for a symptom, set a daily note to track it. Did the pain get better? Did your sleep improve? Write it down.

Update your personal health record. Add the new info to your medication list. Note any new diagnoses. Save any printed handouts. This becomes your living health file. Use it for every future appointment.

And if something doesn’t feel right after the visit - if symptoms get worse, or you don’t understand the plan - call back. Don’t wait. Your health isn’t something to delay on.