Doctor’s appointment’s can be nerve racking. Usually, you are going in to see them because there is some problem going on you need help with. Given that, it may be hard to remember all the things that you should be taking to your doctor’s appointment that will allow you to make the most of your time there.
This becomes even more important if you have a chronic condition that involves multiple specialists and other healthcare providers.
Below are 16 of the doctor appointment basics we recommend you bring to your next appointment!
1 – INSURANCE CARD
2 – DRIVER’S LICENSE
3 – CASH FOR BRIDGES / PARKING (IN CASE THEY DON’T TAKE CARD)
4 – CREDIT CARD
5 – A CURRENT RECORD OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE AND HOW MUCH
6 – A CURRENT RECORD OF ALL HERBAL SUBSTANCES YOU TAKE AND HOW MUCH
7 – ANY RESEARCH YOU FOUND AND WANT TO BRING FOR THE DOCTOR TO LOOK OVER
8 – NOTEBOOK AND PEN TO TAKE NOTES WITH
9 – IMPORTANT MEDICAL RECORDS
10 – LIST OF SYMPTOMS, GOALS, QUESTIONS, POINT OF VISIT ETC.
11 – GET GAS IF NEEDED
12 – PACK SNACKS & WATER OR WHATEVER YOU MAY NEED
13 – BRING ANY MEDICAL AIDS OR EQUIPMENT THE DOCTOR MAY NEED TO SEE AT THE APPOINTMENT OR THAT YOU MAY NEED TO USE
14 – PHONE CHARGER
15 – A JACKET (WAITING ROOMS ARE KNOWN TO BE COLD)
16 – IMMUNOCOMPROMISED AND/OR IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS MAY WANT TO BRING AND WEAR A MASK
CONCLUSION
Feel free to screenshot, write down, bookmark or print out this list for your next appointment so you don’t forget any of the essentials!
By being prepared for these appointments, you are setting yourself up to feel prepared and empowered and able to advocate for yourself best! We think wearing an item from our Action & Advocacy collection is the perfect addition to this list to empower you to continue to take actions that are going to set you up best to advocate and take control of your appointments.
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