Be a Prepared Patient

If you think that getting ready for a doctor's visit means grabbing a paperback for the waiting room, you might not be getting the most from your visits. An impressive body of medical research going back at least 30 years indicates that a well-prepared patient is a healthier patient, says Dr. Marie Savard, an internist and author of How to Save Your Own Life. Here's how to get the most from your next visit to the doctor.

• Time with your doctor is a precious commodity, but you can get more if you ask. Let the receptionist know at the time you make your appointment that you have several issues to discuss and will need the maximum time with the doctor.
• Bring a handwritten agenda -- a list of your questions and concerns. This prevents what Savard calls the doorknob phenomenon -- the tendency of patients to bring up the most important question or volunteer key information just as the doctor is leaving the room. Include on that list any medications you're currently taking for quick reference.
• Bring a notebook or pad to write down important information such as your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and any instructions for taking medications. "We forget about 50 percent of what the doctor says," says Savard.
• It's not entirely necessary, but it's helpful to bring a small snapshot of yourself to go in your chart. "A photo will help your doctor remember who you are and will also be helpful if you make follow-up calls to your doctor," Savard says.