Preparing for Doctor Appointments: What to Bring and Discuss

Walking into a doctor’s office without being prepared is like showing up to a job interview without a resume. You might get through it, but you’re leaving important details on the table - and that can cost you time, money, and even your health. In the UK, where GP appointments are often short and crowded, being ready makes all the difference. Whether you’re seeing your GP for the first time this year or following up on a chronic condition, how you prepare directly affects what happens in that room.

What to Bring: The Must-Have List

Don’t rely on memory. Write it down. Or better yet, use your phone to keep a running list. Here’s what you need to physically bring or have ready on your device:

• Medication list - Not just prescriptions. Include every pill, supplement, vitamin, and over-the-counter drug. For each one, write the name, dose (e.g., “10mg”), how often you take it (e.g., “once daily”), why you take it (e.g., “for cholesterol”), and when you started. Mayo Clinic found patients who bring accurate lists reduce medication errors by 37%. Most people get this wrong - they forget the ibuprofen they take for headaches or the fish oil they’ve been taking since 2021.
• Insurance card and photo ID - Even if you’ve been with the same practice for years, staff need to verify your details. If you’re on a new plan, confirm your provider is in-network. Ambetter Health reports 1 in 5 patients show up only to find their doctor isn’t covered.
• Family health history - Know your parents’, siblings’, and grandparents’ major diagnoses. Did your mother have type 2 diabetes? Did your father have a heart attack before 60? Write it down. Mayo Clinic requires this for 15 key conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It’s not just small talk - it’s risk assessment.
• Notes on symptoms - Don’t say “my back hurts.” Say “my lower back has hurt for 3 weeks, worse when I sit, rated 7/10, better when I walk. Started after moving furniture.” AdventHealth’s data shows patients who describe symptoms this way are 40% more likely to get the right diagnosis on the first try.
• Any recent test results or imaging - Blood work, X-rays, MRIs. If you had tests done elsewhere, bring copies. Don’t assume your GP has them. St. Joseph Hospital Bangor found 68% of first-time wellness visits missed critical data because records weren’t transferred.

What to Discuss: The 7 Questions You Must Ask

Doctors don’t always know what’s on your mind. You have to speak up. Here are the seven questions that change outcomes, based on Mayo Clinic’s evidence-based communication guide:

1. “Why are you recommending this test or treatment?” - Not every scan or pill is necessary. Ask for the reason behind it. What’s the goal? What happens if you skip it?
2. “Are there any side effects?” - Be specific. Ask about common ones, serious ones, and ones that might interfere with your daily life. If you’re on blood pressure meds and feel dizzy when you stand, say so. That’s not normal - it’s a side effect.
3. “What are the alternatives?” - There’s rarely just one option. Maybe it’s a different drug, physical therapy, or lifestyle change. Ask for the pros and cons of each.
4. “What happens if I do nothing?” - Sometimes, watchful waiting is the best choice. But you need to know the risks.
5. “How will this affect my daily life?” - Will you need to take time off work? Avoid driving? Change your diet? Know the real impact before you say yes.
6. “What symptoms should I watch for that mean I need to call you?” - Don’t wait until your next appointment if something gets worse. Get clear signs to look out for.
7. “What would you recommend if I were your mother/father/son/daughter?” - This one works. It shifts the conversation from clinical to human. Doctors often drop the jargon and give you their honest take.

Don’t Forget the Small Stuff

There are details people overlook - and they matter.

• Bring a list of questions - Write them down before you go. Prioritize the top three. St. Joseph Bangor’s research found patients who bring 3-5 focused questions resolve 89% of their main concerns. Those who don’t? Only 63%.
• Bring someone with you - If you’re nervous, forgetful, or dealing with something serious, bring a friend or family member. They’ll remember things you miss. They can also ask questions you’re too shy to ask.
• Know your goals - Are you trying to lose weight? Reduce pain? Sleep better? Say it out loud. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement found patients who state clear goals are 31% more likely to follow through on treatment plans.
• Be honest about lifestyle - Alcohol? Smoking? Vaping? How much exercise? How many hours do you sit? AdventHealth requires this data because it directly affects treatment. If you say “I drink a little,” but you have two glasses of wine every night, that’s not a little. Be exact.
• Ask about follow-up - Don’t assume you’ll get a call. Ask: “When should I come back? Who do I call if things get worse? Do I need a repeat test?”

What Not to Do

Some habits sabotage your visit before it even starts.

• Don’t wait until the day of - Gathering meds, writing symptoms, printing records takes time. Start 2-3 days before.
• Don’t rely on your memory - Your brain is not a pharmacy database. Write it down.
• Don’t be embarrassed - Doctors hear it all. Sexual health, mental health, substance use, incontinence - all of it. Hiding it delays care.
• Don’t assume they know your history - Even if you’ve been with the same GP for years, they’re juggling 30 patients a day. They don’t remember every detail.
• Don’t leave without clarity - If you don’t understand the plan, say so. Ask them to explain it again. Better yet, ask them to write it down.

Digital Tools That Help

You don’t need to do everything by hand. Many tools make preparation easier:

• Use your phone’s Notes app to keep a running medication list. Update it every time you get a new prescription.
• Sync your pharmacy records with Apple Health or Google Fit. Mayo Clinic’s app lets you import data from 27 major UK and US pharmacies.
• Try the My Health Checklist from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement - it’s free, available in multiple languages, and guides you through each step.
• If your practice uses an online portal (like NHS App or MyChart), upload your list ahead of time. Cleveland Clinic’s system shows users complete prep 22 minutes faster and with 19% more accuracy.

Why This Matters

This isn’t about being “difficult” or “needy.” It’s about getting better care. When you show up prepared:

• You save time - appointments run smoother.
• You reduce errors - doctors make fewer mistakes with meds and diagnoses.
• You get more answers - you’re more likely to leave with a clear plan.
• You feel more in control - which reduces anxiety and improves outcomes.

Healthcare isn’t perfect. But your preparation? That’s something you can control. And it’s the single biggest factor in whether your visit helps - or just leaves you frustrated.

Next Steps

Here’s what to do right now:

1. Open your phone’s Notes app or grab a piece of paper.
2. Write down every medication you take - including supplements.
3. Write down your top 3 symptoms or concerns.
4. Write down one family health history fact you know.
5. Before your next appointment, review this list. Add anything you forgot.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be ready. The more you do this, the easier it gets. And the better your care will be.