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Making the most of a medical appointment

Below are some tips on how to make the most of a doctor’s appointment.

Before the visit

Ask the person if they want you to go to the appointment with them.
Write a list of questions so you don’t both forget them during the appointment. For suggestions, see the question checklists in Cancer Council’s booklets or call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Work out the most important questions to ask first, as time may be limited. Ask for a longer appointment if you have a lot of questions.
Keep a record of all medicines the person is taking, including any vitamins, over-the-counter medicines and complementary therapies. Take it with you to the appointment to discuss with the health professional.
Check with the receptionist that the health professional has received any test results. Ask for copies so you can take them to other appointments.
Write down any recent changes in the person’s condition or symptoms so you can discuss these with the health professional.

During the visit

Take notes or ask if you can record the discussion on your phone.
Check anything you don’t understand. Write down any specific instructions.
Check what changes you should watch out for and what to do if they happen.
Ask who to contact about any changes or treatment side effects, including an after-hours contact number.
Ask the health professional if they can give you printed material or tell you where to find more information.
Look over your list of questions to check that they have all been answered.
Ask about follow-up plans, test results, appointments and referrals.

After the visit

Review your notes and discuss the visit with the person you are caring for. If you have any questions, call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Follow up about test results as agreed at the appointment.
Record the next appointment in your phone or a diary.

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This information was last reviewed in November 2023. View who reviewed this content.

Dr Alison White, Palliative Medicine Specialist, Royal Perth Hospital, WA; Tracey Bilson, Consumer; Louise Dillon, Consumer; Louise Durham, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care Outpatients, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD; Katrina Elias, Carers Program, South Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, NSW; Jessica Elliott, Social Worker, Youth Cancer Services, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Brendan Myhill, Social Worker and Bereavement Research Officer, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Penny Neller, Project Coordinator, National Palliative Care Projects, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD; Olivia Palac, Acting Assistant Director, Occupational Therapy, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Nicole Rampton, Advanced Occupational Therapist, Cancer Services, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Shirley Roberts, Nurse Consultant, Medical Oncology, Northern Adelaide Cancer Centre, SA; Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko, Specialist General Practitioner, and UNSW Research Fellow, NSW; Kathleen Wilkins, Consumer; Helen Zahra, Carers Program, South Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, NSW.

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