Types of Medical Appointments
What are the four (4) different types of medical appointments?
1) Routine check-ups
2) Specialist consultations
3) Urgent care
4) Follow-up appointments
What ways can you schedule an appointment with a medical provider?
1) Call the medical office
2) Schedule online (if available)
What should you bring to your doctor's appointments?
1) a symptom tracker
2) questions to ask that are written down
3) a list of current medications and supplements
4) medical records
How should you plan for the day of your appointment?
1) Arrive early
2) Bring your insurance card and picture ID
3) Prepare for a copay or coinsurance payment
4) For longer visits, bring water, snacks, and entertainment to keep yourself comfortable
5) Consider diet restrictions for fasting blood draws and drink lots of water for urine samples.
What should you do during your doctor's appointment?
1) share all of your symptoms
2) ask questions
3) take notes
4) bring support if needed
5) discuss next steps
What is a specialist consultation?
Appointments with medical specialists such as cardiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, etc.
If you are experiencing an urgent medical need, what can you do?
Call the closest urgent care clinic and tell them the symptoms you are experiencing.
2) Can show patterns or correlation with other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Your doctor sends you to the lab for a fasting blood glucose test. How should you prepare for this appointment?
1) Drink lots of water 12-24 hours before the blood draw
2) Ensure you haven't eaten food within the window they advised (typically 8-12 hours)
What should you do after your medical appointments?
1) make sure you follow up on recommendations
2) communicate any side effects and/or test results to your provider
3) make follow up appointments as recommended
What is an urgent care appointment?
Appointments that require quick attention but are not emergencies.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, what should you do?
Call 9-1-1 and/or transport to the nearest emergency room as quickly as possible
What information should a medication tracker have on it?
1) list of medications you are taking
2) dosage of each medication (for example, 1 capsule)
3) How often you take each dose (for example, 3 times a day)
Your medical provider is sending you to the lab for a urine test. How should you prepare for this appointment?
Drink lots of water before arriving.
Why is it important to share ALL of your symptoms with medical providers?
What are follow-up appointments?
Appointments for ongoing medical conditions or treatments to monitor progress and healing
When can online scheduling be most convenient?
2) if you have access to a computer, but not a phone
What kind of questions can you write down to bring to your medical appointments?
All of the above
Why is it important to arrive early to medical appointments?
1) there could be paperwork to fill out before they can see you
2) to allow extra time in case the medical office is hard to find
How can a support person be beneficial during a medical appointment?
Medical appointments can be overwhelming. A support person can help ask questions, provide observations you might not be aware of, and take notes while you engage with your provider.
What medical care does not require an appointment?
Emergency care
When calling a medical office to make an appointment, what information should you provide the scheduler?
The type of visit you need. For example, a new patient appointment, a follow-up visit, or a routine visit.
What kind of medical records could you bring to a medical appointment?
1) test results
2) imaging
3) treatment recommendations
What kind of payment could be required at the time of service in a medical office?
Copayments are required at the time of service. These are typically $10-$30.
What are possible follow up recommendations a doctor might provide after your appointment?
1) tests or procedures
2) medications
3) lifestyle changes