Your health is important, so it's a good idea to be prepared for any visit to a doctor. His or her time is often limited, so a little bit of planning beforehand will help you to get the most out of your visit and make sure that all of your concerns are addressed. Taking 15 minutes to prepare is time well spent.

Make sure to bring:

• your health card - make sure it hasn't expired
• any health records, test results, or X-rays that you've been asked to bring
• the name and phone number of someone to contact in case of emergency
• information on how to get to the office and where to park
  
  
• a friend or family member if possible,
  • you'll need someone to drive you
  • you're nervous about the visit
  • your first language isn't English
  
  
• if you're coming to see a specialist,
  • a referral from your family doctor
  • the name, address, and phone number of your family doctor

You may also want to write down a few things in advance as reminders. The more your doctor knows about you, the more accurate the assessment of your health can be and the more effectively your problems can be treated. This may seem fairly straightforward, but it will help the doctor if you include more details than simply "I have a sore throat" or "There's a pain in my left shoulder." The same symptom can come from a wide variety of different causes.

On a piece of paper, write down:

• how well or poorly you feel - note specific parts of your body and specific sensations
• the basics of your lifestyle: whether you smoke, if you drink alcohol, coffee or cola, what you usually eat, what your job involves, what you do for recreation
• all medications you're using, including prescription drugs and non-prescription medications. This could include headache or cold remedies, as well as any vitamins, supplements, herbal and homeopathic remedies
• whether anyone in your family has had potentially inheritable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or Alzheimer's disease
• other health professionals you've seen recently, why you've seen them, and what they've told you

Think about what you want to find out from the doctor and write down your questions. They could include such subjects as:

• What caused this condition?
• What are my treatment options?
• What option is best for me, and why?
• How does this affect my lifestyle?
• What am I doing right? What am I doing wrong?

Don't forget to bring a notepad to write down the doctor's answers to your questions.

If you're having any tests done, find out what you need to do or avoid doing in preparation for the tests. For example, it can make a big difference what you eat or drink in the 24 hours before your visit.

Make sure you know:

• what to avoid and if there are extra things you should do
• what effect any tests might have on you - some can affect your ability to drive or work
• how long the appointment is likely to take

If you don't know these details, just call the office and ask. The phone numbers are available on the "Clinic Information" page.