Topic Overview

Many people are more satisfied with their health care if they share the responsibility with their doctors. Your doctor is an expert on medical care, but you are the expert on yourself. Often there is more than one option for diagnosing or treating a condition. By being a partner with your doctor, you can help choose the option that best fits your values, beliefs, and lifestyle. You also will feel more confident about carrying out the chosen treatment.

Here are some tips for being a good partner with your doctor:

• Build a relationship with your doctor. Let your doctor know that you want to be a partner in your health care. Tell the doctor what your expectations are.
• Be an active participant in each appointment. Listen carefully to what your doctor says. If you do not understand a diagnosis or treatment, ask questions. Tell the doctor if you do not think that you can carry out the prescribed treatment.
• Prepare your child for tests and exams. Let your child know why he or she is seeing a doctor and what will be done during the visit. Your child's age and developmental level will determine how best to prepare him or her. For more information, see the topic Pediatric Preparation for Medical Tests.

What is the reason for your appointment?

During your appointment, you will need to answer some important questions so that you and your doctor can plan your care together. Completing the appropriate forms before the appointment helps you provide correct and complete information, take an active role in your health care decisions, and make the most of your limited appointment time.

Choose the form that best describes your reason for seeing the doctor.

Helpful forms

Reason for appointment	Form to complete
A new problem or symptom	Appointment for a New Problem (What is a PDF document?)
Follow-up to a previous problem	Follow-Up Appointment (What is a PDF document?)
First appointment with this doctor	First Appointment (What is a PDF document?) Your Family Medical History (What is a PDF document?)
Appointment for an ongoing health problem	Regular Checkup for a Lifelong Condition (What is a PDF document?)
Appointment for a child who is healthy	Regular Checkup for a Child (What is a PDF document?)

Do you take medicines?

If you take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal remedies or vitamins, bring all your medicines with you to any appointment with a doctor. If you cannot bring the medicines, bring a list of the medicines that you take (What is a PDF document?) .

Before your appointment, write down your daily medicine schedule in a form that has spaces for hourly entries (What is a PDF document?) . Your doctor can help you understand how much of each medicine to take and when to take each one.

What other forms might be helpful?

If you and your doctor are going to discuss a new medicine, medical test, surgery, or special treatment, choose a form from the following list. Then fill in your information, and take the form with you to your visit. Completing the form will help you understand the importance of the treatment your doctor is advising for your health condition. If you do not have the form at the time of your visit, complete the form at home after the visit.

• New Medicines: Questions to Ask the Doctor (What is a PDF document?)
• Medical Tests: Questions to Ask the Doctor (What is a PDF document?)
• Surgery: Questions to Ask the Doctor (What is a PDF document?)
• Other Treatment: Questions to Ask the Doctor (What is a PDF document?)

Also, bring a copy of your health plan's list of covered prescription drugs. This list is also known as a formulary.

What do you need to do after the appointment?

Update the medical records that you keep at home. For more information, see the topic Organizing Your Medical Records.