How to make every minute of your doctor’s appointment count

Doctor appointments may feel short these days, but they don’t have to be rushed or confusing. A little homework beforehand can help you make better use of those precious minutes. Here’s what experts advise on how to get more from your next visit.

What to do beforehand

Family physicians have busy practices and usually limited time with each patient, says Camille Lemieux, department head of family medicine at Toronto’s UHN. That makes it worth asking ahead of time how much time you’ll have and prioritizing your concerns.

“It’s helpful for patients to ask how many medical issues can be addressed during one visit and to focus on that number, rather than bringing a long list,” says Lemieux.

Once you know what you want to discuss, write down your main concerns before you leave home. It’s surprisingly easy to remember the question you meant to ask only after you’re halfway home.

The same goes for your medications. Keep a list that includes names and dosages. If you’re unsure, put all your medications in a bag and bring them along. Include over-the-counter medications, herbal products, supplements and hormones.

“This can help us identify drug interactions, duplications and contraindications that are critical in patient management,” says Annu Navani, a regenerative medicine expert and author of Health Recoded.

Navani also recommends knowing the names and contact information of other doctors involved in a patient’s care, which matters when co-ordinating care in complex cases with multiple medical issues.

Don’t be shy, be honest

If you’re tempted to shave a few drinks off your weekly alcohol intake or conveniently forget to mention that you enjoy the odd cigar, think again.

“Patients often don’t want to share information about smoking, alcohol use, other substance use and sexual practices,” Lemieux says.

“However, if your family physician doesn’t have this information, they may not be able to provide the right diagnosis or care.”

The same applies to subjects that can feel even more personal.

“Especially in breast cancer, patients often omit sensitive subjects like body image, mental health related to the diagnosis and sexual health symptoms,” says Loren Rourke, breast cancer surgeon and author of Real Talk, Real Hope: Breast Cancer Your Way.

Rest assured, whatever you tell your physician is confidential and protected by privacy legislation.

Understanding what’s said

There’s no prize for pretending to understand when you have no idea what your doctor is saying to you.

“Absolutely interrupt. It’s important you understand what you’re being told in your appointment. Understanding and education result in better compliance with treatment recommendations,” Rourke notes.

If something is confusing, ask your doctor to stop and explain it in plain language. Write things down and ask for the correct spelling of unfamiliar terms so you can look them up later.

Recording an appointment is a convenient way to recall the conversation and share it with caregivers. Just ensure you ask for consent first, since laws around recording conversations vary by jurisdiction.

Google and AI can help, but they can’t be your doctor

Doing some research before an appointment can help you arrive with informed questions. Going too far down the Google or AI rabbit hole, however, can lead to an inaccurate self-diagnosis, severe anxiety and delayed treatment.

“The problem arises when an online search result is treated as an inflexible diagnosis rather than as a starting awareness,” Navani says.

Generative AI has other limitations. It can only work with the information you provide and may draw on unreliable material found online.

“A physician, on the other hand, integrates the medical history, medications, vital signs, physical examination, risk factors, laboratory and imaging findings, and sometimes even subtle and subclinical elements the patient may fail to recognize. AI can serve as a great resource as long as it serves curiosity and not definitive authority,” Navani says.

Before you walk out the door

Before the appointment ends, make sure you know what happens next, including which followup tasks belong to you and which belong to health care providers.

Ask when you should expect to feel better, when you need to follow up and what symptoms should prompt a call, an urgent-care visit or an ER trip. If you’re starting a new medication, make sure you know why you’re taking it, how to take it and what to avoid while you’re on it.

Worried about being a high-maintenance patient? Don’t be.

“Asking questions isn’t being difficult. Saying “I don’t understand,” “I’m worried about this” or “I’d like to consider another option” gives your physician information that can help them provide better care,” assures Navani.