Appointments: Making the Most of Your Office Visits

When you make an appointment:

Tell the office staff you are a Care Choices member and exactly why you want to see the doctor (for example, for a consultation, shots, an illness or a checkup). This helps them schedule the right amount of time for the office visit.

Before you go or take your child to the doctor:

• Make a list of questions you want to ask.
• Make a list of medicines being taken.
• Think of how you are going to explain symptoms or how you or your child feel. Be specific. For example, don't say, “My little girl isn't feeling well.” This is too vague. It is more helpful for your doctor to know, “My little girl's temperature has been 100.4° for two days.”
• Help your child work through his or her fears.

When you or your child goes to the doctor:

• Take your or your child's Care Choices member ID card with you.
• If your child is visiting the doctor, be sure to take their shots or immunization record.
• Arrive at the office a few minutes before your appointment time.
• Take a written list of your or your child's symptoms and the questions you want to ask. This information is very important. Your doctor will keep it private and confidential, so you should be as complete as possible.
• Take extra paper and a pen/pencil to take notes.

You should plan to tell your doctor or nurse about:

• Stressful factors in your or your child's life.
• Illnesses you or your child had in the past.
• Personal health habits, like what types of foods either you or your child generally eat.
• Any treatment you or your child has been receiving.
• Family history.

Before you leave your appointment:

• Write down your doctor's or nurse's advice.
• Be sure that you understand symptoms or any advice given by your doctor for you or your child.
• Find out whether you and your child are up-to-date on shots and preventive health screenings (like pap smears).
• Talk to the nurse about a good time to call the doctor's office for advice when you need it.