Salem, MAHIGH 49°F
LOW 38°F
Salem, MAHIGH 49°F
LOW 38°F
Visiting the Doctor: A Checklist for Your Checkup
The Doctor Will See You Now…
After the nurse collects your vital signs (weight, body temperature, blood pressure, etc.), you may still be in for a long wait. Be patient and try to stay calm.
After the nurse collects your vital signs (weight, body temperature, blood pressure, etc.), you may still be in for a long wait. Be patient and try to stay calm.
When the doctor finally enters the room, greet him/her warmly and, remember, this is your time to be seen and heard. If you don’t understand something that happens during your visit, feel free to ask the doctor to explain it to you and/or ask him/her to write it down. (Note: bring your own pen and paper.)
Here are a few tips on what you should write down or have your doctor write down or print out for you from the computer:
- Your diagnosis. This is what's wrong with you.
- Your prognosis. The usual outcome or what may happen next.
- Your medical plan. This includes what you need to do and the medicine you may need to pick-up from the pharmacy and take daily.
Your appointment may not last more than 10 minutes. But, by following all of the helpful tips above, you can make the most of every minute and second with your health care provider.
