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Doctor’s Visit? Bring a Friend and a Pen

a man visiting a doctor

The days of frequent, unhurried follow-up doctor’s visits or phone calls are gone. So make the time you spend with your doctor count by knowing what you are going to ask ahead of time. Don’t rely on your memory alone during your visit. Write down all the questions you have for your doctor before going to the office.

That doesn’t mean taking an endless list of concerns, however. You want to prioritize so the
majority of the time is spent talking about the things that concern you the most.

In addition, it’s often better to have two sets of ears. Many people become nervous when they see a doctor, and might forget what they are told. A spouse, adult child, or a trusted friend can take notes and remind you of important points afterward.

Make sure that one person is the designated speaker and one is the listener in order to avoid
confusion and keep the visit from dragging on too long.

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