And here is the final piece that concludes my trilogy on Doctors...The previous 2 were Top Ten Reasons To Get A New Doctor and How To Find A Good Physician.

Here's the thing...typically you have about 15 minutes with a primary care physician.  So a little planning can be really worthwhile and cut down on the number of questions you'll think of to ask on your way home.  Asking a family member or a friend with whom you don't mind sharing intimate details to accompany you is an excellent idea.  They are much less inclined to lose focus as you try to impart information and the two of you will likely remember more of the details.

The first thing you'll need to do is make sure your medical history is up-to-date.  Write down all your medications and dosages including any vitamins, aspirins, or other over the counter items you may be using. (You may be surprised that some of these common things may be contra-indicated together).  Same thing for your medical history, dates and reasons for previous hospitalizations, chronic conditions treated previously, etc if this is your first visit.  Your parents or siblings health and the age at which any diseases may have afflicted them.

Decide exactly what you want to know most and get right to the point whether it is the mole on your neck or the growing ache in your knee.  Rank your questions/concerns in priority order so if you don't happen to get to them all, at least the most important has been answered.  Take notes of your symptoms beforehand and bring them with you.  What things give you relief or exacerbate your condition?  If you've done some research on your own, write down a short summary...one half page at most and include your key question.  Don't bring a folder of research and expect it to be read in the physician's spare time.

If you are diagnosed with a condition, don't be afraid to ask how certain the physician is and whether there are some other possibilities.  Ask if it's temporary or chronic, and whether contagious or genetic which may also affect your siblings or children.