So you’re visiting a new doctor for the first time. What should you do?
When you have the first appointment with a doctor, there’s a lot to fill them in on. Bring all of your medical records and prescriptions, and everything you need to bring them up to speed on your medical wants and needs. This might include:
- Your overall health information
If you have any conditions, surgeries, or illnesses, you should let your doctor know. You should also tell them about anything that your old primary care physician knew. This includes your current medication and lifestyle.
- Your family medical history
Because it’s very common for conditions to be passed along genetically, you should let your doctor know about any illnesses or chronic conditions that run in your family.
- Your preferences and beliefs
Meet your doctor as a person and help them do the same. Tell them about your preferences, personal beliefs, and your home/work situation so that they can cater their care more closely to you.
A couple of other things to keep in mind:
- Stay in contact with your doctor ahead of time and be sure to confirm your appointment.
- If you can provide any information or check in beforehand, complete that to stay prepared.
- Check and respond to any communication from your physician’s office, and make sure that you’ve made room in your schedule.
- Plan for more time than is allotted for your appointment to account for wait times and delays.
It might be intimidating to meet your new doctor for the first time, but there’s no reason to be nervous. They’re only here to help you stay healthy. Passion Health Physicians is proud to announce that we’re now accepting new patients. If you’re looking for a primary care physician in Plano, Irving, Coppell, or Frisco, call us at 214-666-6259 or schedule an appointment in the contact tab above the post.
Author Jai Sammpath