5 Ways to Make Your Next Doctor's Visit Easier

Patients often find visiting the doctor stressful and time-consuming, whether they're experiencing symptoms or going for a routine checkup. If your last doctor's visit left you feeling frustrated or overlooked, taking the following steps can help you improve your experience as a patient.

1. If there's a long wait to get an appointment, ask to be put on the waiting list. Be proactive and call the office regularly for updates on your waiting list status.

2. To improve communication, always use the recommended processes. During your next visit, ask your doctor about the best way to reach them if you have a question between appointments. A doctor who is unresponsive to phone calls and texts may respond quickly to a message sent through the online patient portal.  

Note: If the doctor is someone you know personally, you may have other contact information for them, but when making an appointment, it’s important to contact their office. This will ensure that you complete the proper paperwork and the doctor has accurate information for you.

3. To avoid feeling rushed, bring a list of questions you want to ask the doctor. Doctors have a limited amount of time to spend with each patient, so it's important to make the most of your appointment. Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help ensure that you ask everything you want to ask.

4. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.  Doctors sometimes use medical jargon that can be hard for someone who doesn’t work in the healthcare system to understand. If you aren’t sure what the doctor is telling you, or what the next steps are, ask them to explain it to you in plain English.

5. To get your test results as soon as possible, make sure you’re registered for the patient portal. Most doctors and medical facilities have an online patient portal. The fastest way to see your test results as soon as they are obtained from the lab is typically to log in to the patient portal.

Healthcare is a collaborative process, and by taking these steps, you can make your doctor’s visit more efficient and more effective.

Want personalized healthcare guidance? If you or someone you love is coping with a new diagnosis, managing a chronic illness, or needs support maintaining their good health, reach out to an expert health advisor.