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Preparing for Your Physician Visit

A good physician-patient relationship is essential for your continuing good health. You can help develop an optimal relationship by preparing in advance for your scheduled office visits.

If you are preparing for your first visit with a new doctor:

We appreciate the opportunity of taking care of you. In order to streamline your first visit with us, please bring the following with you:

• Valid Insurance Card (if applicable)
• Co-payment or method of payment for services rendered
• Appropriate Forms Completed
• All of your current medications (including the bottles)
• All available medical records (You may arrange to have copies of these records sent from your previous provider directly to your newly selected physician)

What your physician needs to know when you are being seen for an illness or injury

• How long you have been ill or when did your injury occur?
• Is there a known cause for your problem?
• What do you think is the cause of your problem?
• What are the names of any medications you are taking?
• What strength and how often do you take them?
  (Remember to include any herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications on your list.)
• Do you have any allergies?
• If you are in pain, is the pain steady or periodic, sharp, achy or dull?
• Is your condition getting better or worse? Is there any known cause of this perceived change?
• Have you had this illness/injury before? How was it treated?
• Have you had any changes in body temperature, heart rate or breathing?
• Are you being treated for any other medical conditions?
• Are there any other symptoms or important information your physician should know?

Questions to ask your physician

• What is my diagnosis and how can it be treated or prevented?
• What medication should I be taking, how much and how often?
• Are there any common side effects I should be aware of?
• Should I avoid certain foods, juice or alcohol while taking the medicine?
• Does my illness or injury restrict me from any of my normal daily life activities?
• If awaiting test results, who should I call and when?
• Remember that patient involvement and good communication always results in better care and a more beneficial physician-patient relationship.
• If you have a prescription benefit that has preferred medications, please bring that information with you to your visit. This will allow your doctor to determine if the medication you need is covered by your health plan.