Did you realize how important your job as a patient really is when you speak to your doctor? Most people just do not do a good enough job when trying to communicate their information to their doctor, and often they give much too little pertinent information for the doctor to move forward. Try to think of your doctor as a police officer who is looking for the facts. They have to look around, ask questions, make conclusions and try to come up with the right answer. You can go a long way in helping your doctor undercover the facts of your health by taking some time to complete a health journal that can be updated and brought with you to your visits.

When you speak to your doctor, you’ll want to come prepared with the following information:

• If there are any current ailments that are bothering you. Include all the symptoms including when they started. You’ll want to be sure to include anything that you were doing prior to the onset of the symptoms, the intensity, duration, and even the location of any pain.

• List all the medication – prescription and over the counter – that you are currently taking. You’ll need to know the dosage, the reason you are taking it, when you started taking it, and the physician that prescribed it.

• If it applies, you can keep track of your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc.

• A list of your immunizations

• List all major illnesses that you have had including the dates and what treatment you underwent.

• List the times you were hospitalized including the dates and the reasons.

• List all surgeries including dates, reasons, and outcomes.

• List your physical limitations such as corrected vision, arthritis, or hearing deficiencies.

• List your allergies, and the type of reaction you have when exposed.

• List your relevant family history: Their relationship to you, what ailment they suffered from, date of death or age when diagnosed, treatment, and outcome.

• List any health screenings you’ve had done such as PAP tests, mammographies, eye exams, etc.

Remember, doctor’s are very busy people, and although they are trying to give each patient the time and attention they deserve, they also need to be able to move as quickly as possible between patients. This may mean that your doctor may not fully explain everything in a way in which you’ll understand. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification, or to go over something a second or third time. You may find it easier if you walk into the office with a list of questions that you need to ask – or points to bring up to your doctor. This will not only help you to remember what you wanted to tell them or ask, but it also helps you to prioritize the questions.