You know how it is. You get to the doctor’s office and sit there in the room wondering what you should say, how you should say it or if you should just let them do all the talking.
We get it. It can be vulnerable to talk to physicians or other healthcare providers about personal health issues that you want to figure out. Sometimes, it’s hard to know the right questions to ask or the right way to ask them.
It’s our job to make that conversation easier, not scary, to stay with you for longer, to be there when you need us — to listen.
To help you along your journey, we’ve put together a few conversations prompts that could help you get started. Use these prompts or add your own. What’s most important is that you come to the appointment prepared and ready and able to open up to your provider.
What to Talk to Your Doctor About During Your Visit:
- How have you been feeling lately? Be honest. Our providers are trained to understand all manner of health issues, both big and small. No concern, no pain and no issue is too small or too weird to share.
- What’s stressing you out? Are you worried about something specific? Is it something related to a disease or condition you have? Or is it general in nature, like a job or family stress?
- Have you ever felt sad, empty or depressed? Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Even if you think it’s nothing, share with your doctor how your mental health has been. They can offer input and make suggestions on what next steps you can take.
- What medicines are you taking? Bringing a complete list of all prescription medications to your appointment is important to staying up-to-date on dosages, as well as discuss what is working and what you may want to change.
- What types of activity have you been doing? Getting some activity in is critical to your health. Have you been walking? Yoga? Playing tennis? Share some of your recent activity so your provider can get a good idea of your exercise habits and how they can advise you.
- What have you been eating? Talking to you doctor about your eating habits may feel vulnerable, but it’s a way for you two to have a conversation about getting as much healthy foods in your day as possible. Your doctor can help you determine what’s working and what needs improvement in your diet.
- And finally, do you have any health goals you want to set? Are you hoping to get your blood pressure under control? Are you trying to get more exercise in each week? Are you trying to find more energy? Whatever it may be, your provider can help guide you and partner with you to set good health goals and be there to support you along the way.
