Making the most of the time you have with your primary care doctor is an important part of staying well.  Unfortunately, a lot of us only see our doctor when we’re already sick. This can make it hard to remember to ask them important questions and fully understand all that they’re telling us. That’s why we’ve created some suggestions that we feel can help make your time with your primary care physician (PCP) even more valuable.

Write out a list of questions and concerns for your doctor. 
If you’ve had an odd ache or pain throughout the day, write it down. Your time with your doctor is about more than just the immediate issue (a sinus infection, cold, etc.), it’s about your overall health. Note things that seem different or “off,” and discuss them with your PCP.

Take notes.
Write down what your doctor is telling you so that you can refer back to those notes later — especially when discussing treatment plans. How often were you supposed to check your blood pressure? Are you supposed to call if it gets too high? All these things are easy to forget after an appointment, so it never hurts to write it down.

Bring a family member or trusted friend.
If you’re really not feeling well, you may want to consider bringing a family member or trusted friend with you to the appointment. They can help take notes and ask questions to make sure you get all the information you need.

Know what your goals are for your health and ask your PCP how to achieve them.
It’s not uncommon that we’re battling multiple health conditions at once. High blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, asthma — you name it.  A lot of the time, one of those conditions may be making our day-to-day lives especially difficult. Emphasize what condition in particular you’d like to either manage better or eliminate all together, and work with your PCP to come up with a plan.

Ask your PCP to write down instructions for you. 
If you’re confused about anything, or worry you may forget something, don’t be afraid to ask your PCP to write out what was covered in the appointment. They’re there to help you get well.