Getting Ready for Your First Visit

Plan your first visit to your doctor.

• Get a copy of your medical records from your last doctor.
• Make a list of all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medications.
• Make a list of your allergies, especially medication allergies.
• Write down everything you want to talk about on your first visit. That way, you won't forget anything.
• Take paper and pen to your appointment, so you can make notes.

When you meet your new doctor:

• Tell your doctor up front everything that's on your list. The doctor might want to talk about things in a different order. Or the doctor may ask you to make a second appointment to discuss some subjects.
• Be truthful and direct. Your doctor needs good information to treat you successfully.
• Listen carefully and take notes on what the doctor says.
• If your doctor prescribes medicine, make sure you understand:
  • What is the medicine for and why should you take it?
  • What are possible side effects? Should you call the doctor if you have them?
  • How expensive is the medication? Is there a generic or an alternative if your insurance won't cover it?
• Before you leave, make sure you've covered everything. If not, make another appointment.

After Your Visit: Is This the Right Doctor for You?

Choosing a primary care doctor is very personal. You'll be seeing a lot of this doctor. You want a comfortable relationship. After your visit, think about how everything went.

• Did the doctor and the office seem to be a good fit for you?
• Did the office return your calls quickly?
• Was the staff pleasant?
• Did they take care of any concerns you had?
• Could you get an appointment when you wanted it?
• Was the waiting room comfortable?
• How long did you have to wait? If it was a long time, did they explain the reason and apologize?
• Did the doctor take time to listen to you and understand your concerns?
• Did the doctor explain your diagnosis and treatment clearly? If not, did the doctor answer your questions?
• If this was a well visit, did the doctor treat you like a partner in your own health? Did the doctor talk about things you can control? Some things your doctor talked about might be the foods you eat, exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, immunizations, wearing seatbelts, or other things that affect your health.

If this doctor is right for you, congratulations! If not, call 610-402-CARE for more choices.

This page last updated 11/13/09 10:35 AM