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What to bring to a doctor appointment: a simple checklist

A short checklist of what to bring and what to prepare before a doctor appointment, so a ten-minute consultation covers what matters.

By CureMe · · 4 min read

Top-down illustration of a notebook with a tick-mark checklist, a calendar page, a pen, a stethoscope and a cup of tea

A typical consultation is short. Most of that time goes on remembering and explaining, not on the doctor deciding what to do. A few minutes of preparation lets you use the visit well.

Bring

  • Photo ID and your phone, with the booking confirmation on it
  • Previous prescriptions and test reports, especially from the last six months
  • All the medicines you take now, including vitamins and over-the-counter ones, or clear photos of the strips
  • Any scan or X-ray images or discharge papers related to the problem
  • Insurance or company card if it applies

Write down before you go

  1. 01When the problem started and how it has changed.
  2. 02What makes it better or worse.
  3. 03Anything else you have noticed, even if it seems unrelated.
  4. 04Allergies and past reactions to medicines.
  5. 05Your top two or three questions.

Questions worth asking

  • What is the most likely cause, and what else could it be?
  • Do I need any tests, and when will the results be ready?
  • How and when should I take each medicine, and what side effects should I watch for?
  • What should I do if it gets worse, and when should I come back?

Arrive well

Reach a little before your time to complete any forms, but check your place in the queue before you leave, so a delay on the doctor side does not become a long wait for you. Bring someone with you if you are unwell, anxious or likely to forget advice.

After the visit

  • Save the prescription and any reports straight away.
  • Note the follow-up date in your calendar.
  • Set reminders for medicines if the doctor gave a schedule.

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