This article gives you tips to use before, during, and after your health care appointment to make sure you get the best possible care.
One way you can make sure you get good quality health care is to be an active member of your health care team.
Patients who talk with their health care team tend to be happier with their care and have better medical results.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Bring all the medicines you take to your appointment.
- Prescription medicines
- Non-prescription medicines, such as aspirin or antacids
- Vitamins
- Dietary or herbal supplements
- Write down the questions you have for the visit.
- Know your current medical conditions, past surgeries and illnesses.
DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Explain your symptoms, health history, and any problems with medicines you have taken in the past.
- Ask questions to make sure you understand what your provider is telling you.
- Let your provider know if you are worried about being able to follow his or her instructions.
- If your provider recommends a treatment, ask about options.
- If you need a test, ask —
- How the test is done
- How it will feel
- What you need to do to get ready for it
- How you will get the results
- If you need a prescription, tell your provider if
you are pregnant, are nursing, have reactions to medicines, or take vitamins or herbal supplements. - Find out what to do next. Ask for —
- Written instructions
- Brochures
- Videos
- Web sites
FREE TOOLS
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports research that helps people make informed decisions and improves the quality of health care.
AHRQ offers these free resources to help you make decisions about your health care:
- Questions are the Answer website (ahrq.gov/questions) lets you make a list of questions that you can bring to your medical appointments and gives you tips on talking with your provider.
-
Consumers & Patients web page (ahrq.gov/consumer) contains information on staying healthy; getting safe, high-quality health care; and more.
This article gives you tips to use before, during, and after your health care appointment to make sure you get the best possible care.
One way you can make sure you get good quality health care is to be an active member of your health care team.
Patients who talk with their health care team tend to be happier with their care and have better medical results.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Bring all the medicines you take to your appointment.
- Prescription medicines
- Non-prescription medicines, such as aspirin or antacids
- Vitamins
- Dietary or herbal supplements
- Write down the questions you have for the visit.
- Know your current medical conditions, past surgeries and illnesses.
DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Explain your symptoms, health history, and any problems with medicines you have taken in the past.
- Ask questions to make sure you understand what your provider is telling you.
- Let your provider know if you are worried about being able to follow his or her instructions.
- If your provider recommends a treatment, ask about options.
- If you need a test, ask —
- How the test is done
- How it will feel
- What you need to do to get ready for it
- How you will get the results
- If you need a prescription, tell your provider if you are pregnant, are nursing, have reactions to medicines, or take vitamins or herbal supplements.
- Find out what to do next. Ask for —
- Written instructions
- Brochures
- Videos
- Web sites
FREE TOOLS
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports research that helps people make informed decisions and improves the quality of health care.
AHRQ offers these free resources to help you make decisions about your health care:
- Questions are the Answer website (ahrq.gov/questions) lets you make a list of questions that you can bring to your medical appointments and gives you tips on talking with your provider.
-
Consumers & Patients web page (ahrq.gov/consumer) contains information on staying healthy; getting safe, high-quality health care; and more.
AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Always follow your provider’s instructions.
- If you do not understand your instructions after you get home, call your provider/care team.
- Talk with your provider or pharmacist before you stop taking any medicines that your provider prescribed.
- Call your provider if your symptoms get worse or if you have problems following the instructions.
- Make appointments to have tests done or see a specialist if you need to.
- Call your provider’s office to find out test results. Ask what you should do about the results.
Your Medicine: Be Smart. Be Safe.
This booklet answers common questions about getting and taking medicines and has a wallet card to help you keep track of your medicines. Order a free copy by calling 1-800-358-9295.