Seeing A New Physician? How To Prepare For Your First Appointment
Posted on: 23 September 2020
If it's time to find a new personal physician, make sure you're prepared for that first office visit. Meeting a new doctor for the first time can be stressful, especially if you're not prepared for the appointment. You'll have time to build the rapport. But, that first meeting will set the tone for all of your future appointments. Here are some tips that will help you prepare for that first appointment with your new physician.
Identify the Purpose of Your Visit
If you have an appointment with your new physician, make sure you identify the purpose of that first visit. Identifying a clear purpose will help you stay focused during your appointment. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may want to use this initial appointment as an opportunity to familiarize your new doctor with your medical records.
Create a Question/Answer Sheet
If you have questions for your new doctor, take the time to create a question/answer sheet before your appointment. It's not always easy to remember questions that you have for your doctor. This can be a problem, especially when you're meeting your doctor for the first time. Having a question/answer sheet will help you remember the issues you wish to discuss with your new doctor. It will also provide you with the space you need to write down the answers to those questions. This is also a good place to document additional information your new physician might provide you with.
Come Prepared With Information
If you're scheduled for the initial consultation with your new physician, come prepared with vital information. This is especially important if you are currently receiving treatment for a pre-existing medical condition. Some things you'll need to bring to your appointment include a list of the medications you're currently taking as well as a list of any tests you may have had. You should also bring information regarding the results of those tests. If you have a team of doctors that provide care for your condition, provide a list of those doctors as well. Your new doctor will need to know the team they'll be working with.
Provide a Complete Family History
Finally, now that you'll be meeting with a new physician, be sure to provide a complete family medical history. Your family history should include information regarding medical conditions that run in the family, as well as information about prescription medication allergies. For instance, if one of your parents is allergic to certain medications, your new doctor will need to know that.
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