Your Guide to Better Doctor’s Visits

Editor’s Note: This post is brought to you by Johna Jenkins, a nurse practitioner, and the co-founder of our sister brand A Plan for Health.

When Whitney and I joined forces to form A Plan for Health, our mission was to help you advocate for your own health. The tools we create are all designed to intuitively encourage and empower you. Everyone deserves to feel educated around their own health.

One of the first products I wanted to create was a resource for doctor’s appointments. As a healthcare worker and someone with a chronic illness, I know how stressful a doctor’s appointment can be. The few days leading up to an appointment I am a ball of anxiety. I find myself trying to remember all the things I wanted to tell my doctor. I’d rack my brain for any important pieces of information I may have forgotten.

I can also feel overwhelmed at the appointment! Especially when I’m there with my son or attending a doctor’s appointment for one of my parents. There is so much to keep track of: records and test results, questions to ask, symptoms to document.

We could all use a little guidance and support during doctor’s visits! Today, I’m sharing a couple of tips to help ease the stress and maximize time with your healthcare provider.

Read on for your guide to better doctor’s visits! Then visit the shop to grab our cute Healthcare Visits Notebook!

1. Do your pre-visit prep work. Fill out any necessary paperwork for the doctor before the visit. Some patient intake forms are often online. This saves you time at the appointment. Plus it allows you to gather any necessary information before the visit.

1. Make a list of questions and concerns.  Maximize your time with a healthcare provider by making a list of questions to ask before the appointment. If they’re written down, you are much less likely to forget to ask when you see the doctor or nurse! Keep a running list in a notebook or as a note on your phone. This allows you to gather your thoughts and questions over time.

1. Track tests and results! Centralizing this information helps you get a clear picture of everything. Many healthcare centers have online portals that catalog this information. If you see various doctors at different centers, gather all the results in one spot.

1. Take notes at your appointments. Bring a notebook (the Healthcare Visits Notebook is perfect for this!) and a pen to write down the key points shared during the appointment. Making notes as you go helps prevent you from forgetting anything! Run through your notes at the end of the appointment in case you have any immediate clarification questions.

1. Create a list of medications. Supplements too! You may be asked to share this information with a healthcare professional. Keeping an updated list makes that super easy for you to do.

I truly hope these tips will help you feel more confident during a healthcare visit! You deserve less stress and more ease when heading to the doctor.