Get the Most From Your Doctor Visits

A typical doctor's office visit lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. That gives your doctor little time to talk to you about your health problem, examine you, make a diagnosis, then suggest a treatment plan.

To avoid wasting valuable time, be prepared for every doctor visit, using the following pointers.

Before the appointment

• Identify your symptoms or the reason for your visit. Before your visit, review your symptoms and put them in chronological order. Writing them down may help you give a more thorough description of your illness. Be prepared to answer these questions: What are your symptoms? When did they begin? How often do they occur? Which medications were you taking when the problem started? Which medications are you taking now?

• Obtain relevant medical records if you're changing doctors or seeing a specialist. Call your previous doctor and request that copies of your records and lab and X-ray reports be sent directly to the new doctor.

• Prepare a list of the drugs you take and note your dosages. Note any allergies or bad reactions that you have had to any medicines in the past. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbs and supplements.

• Review your health insurance and know what it will pay for and what costs are your responsibility.

At the doctor's

• Get to the point. Explain why you're there by relaying your present symptoms and concerns in a logical fashion. Relate any relevant past medical history and provide copies of lab reports, X-rays or other tests if you have them.

• Don't request a particular medication just because a friend takes it or because you saw it on television. Let your doctor determine the right medications for you.

• Tell the doctor if you're allergic to any drugs.

• Ask questions. Your doctor should fully explain your problem and discuss the pros and cons of the proposed treatments or tests in simple terms. Make sure you understand your condition and your treatment options before you leave the office.

After the appointment

• Follow your doctor's orders.

• Tell your physician about any adverse side effects to your medication or if your condition doesn't improve or gets worse.

• Take medications as directed. Follow drug dosages precisely. Taking more of a medication could be dangerous; taking less could delay recovery.

Finally, make any lifestyle changes your doctor recommends, such as stopping smoking, improving your diet and exercising regularly. Doing so can improve your immunity and your body's ability to heal itself.