Serving the needs of Salida, Saguache, and Cotopaxi Colorado

Prepare for your Doctor's Appointment

Organize your history - write down your medical history notes so you can refer to them during the appointment.

Describing your problem - be specific, make a complete list your symptoms. Think about what the doctor will want to know, for example:

• Where is the pain most severe?
• When did it start?
• Does anything trigger it?
• Is there anything you could do to bring it on, make it better, make it worse?
• Is it present every day, or do you have pain free days?
• Is it worst in the morning, as the day goes on, or constant?
• On a scale of 1-10, how severe is the pain?
• Is it constant or off and on?
• Do you have any other symptoms with it, such as chest pain, shortness of breath?
• Does the pain stay in one area or spread to other areas?
• Does it interfere with your daily routine?
• What has been its course? (Is it stable, or getting worse?)
• Is this a new symptom or a recurrence of a previous problem?

Know your medications - bring all your medications in their original bottles. Your doctor will need to know what pills you take, and how often.

Medical records - if you have your medical records, bring them along. If they are with another doctor, call and arrange to have these records transferred to your new doctor.

Request a verbal summary - Once your doctor has made a diagnosis, he will tell you about treatment plans and expectations. After you have heard this, ask for a final summary. Do not be afraid to ask questions.

The appointment is your opportunity to discuss your health questions and concerns. By being prepared, you can get the most out of your time with your doctor.