Talking with Your Healthcare Provider

Why this topic matters

Clear conversations with your healthcare provider help you get accurate diagnoses, safer treatments, and care that matches your goals and preferences. When you prepare for visits and speak up with questions, you make the most of limited appointment time and reduce the chance of confusion later. Older adults and caregivers often juggle multiple conditions, specialists, and medicines, which makes strong communication even more important. An Understood Care advocate can help you get ready for each visit, create a clear list of questions, organize your medicines and history, join calls when needed, take notes, explain next steps in plain language, and follow up on referrals, authorizations, and test results so your care stays on track.

How to prepare before your visit

Set your goals for the appointment

Think about what you want from the visit. Choose one priority concern you want to address first. Write it at the top of your notes so you lead with it when the appointment begins.

Gather the essentials

Bring information that helps your provider understand the full picture. At a minimum, bring

1. A list of all medications you take including prescriptions, over the counter products, vitamins, and supplements, plus any allergies or past side effects
2. Your medical history and key diagnoses, recent test results if you have them, and names of your other providers
3. Your family health history for common conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or cancer
4. A short list of questions you want answered today

An Understood Care Advocate can help you gather the essentials

Plan for access and support

If you use hearing aids, vision supports, or mobility devices, bring them and ask for any needed assistance. Consider inviting a trusted family member or friend to join you as a second set of ears. If English is not your preferred language, an Understood Care advocate can help get you an interpreter in advance.

What to share during the visit

Tell your story clearly

Describe when each symptom started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects daily life. Be honest about lifestyle habits and challenges. Share your goals and what matters most to you.

Ask focused questions

Use your prepared note to guide the conversation. Helpful questions include

1. What do you think is causing these symptoms
2. What tests do I need and why
3. What are my treatment choices and how do they compare
4. What benefits and risks should I know about
5. How will this medicine or plan affect my other conditions and current medications
6. What should I do at home and when should I call for help
7. How and when will I get my results and who should I contact with questions

Use teach back to confirm your plan

Before you leave, say in your own words what you will do next. For example, I will take the new medicine once each evening with food, schedule the blood test next week, and call if my swelling gets worse. Ask your provider to correct anything you missed. An Understood Care Advocate can join the visit by phone or video to take notes, confirm instructions, and ask for clear explanations. After the appointment, your advocate can review the plan with you, help schedule tests and follow ups, assist with prior authorizations, track results and referrals, and check in to make sure the plan is working for you.

Safer conversations about medicines

Review your medication list together

Show your complete list, including supplements and herbal products. Ask about possible interactions and side effects that matter most for your age and health conditions. If costs or pill burden are a concern, ask about simpler schedules or alternatives.

Ask for plain language instructions

For every new medicine, ask

1. What the medicine is for and when it should help
2. Exactly how and when to take it, and what to avoid
3. What common side effects to watch for and what to do if they occur
4. Any serious warning signs that require urgent care
5. When to follow up to review how it is working

An Understood Care advocate can prompt these questions, note the answers in plain language, and help you set up safe use reminders, refills, and follow up.

Use trusted written information

Medication Guides and other FDA approved patient materials can help you remember key safety points. Ask your pharmacist to include them with refills, and keep them with your medication list.

Make tele-health visits work for you

Test your device before the visit, choose a quiet and well lit space, and have your notes and medication bottles nearby. If anything is hard to hear or understand, speak up right away and ask for the plan in writing through the patient portal or by mail.

After the visit

Capture the plan

Before you leave or as soon as you hang up, write down the diagnosis, new medicines or dose changes, ordered tests, referrals, and the date of your next check in. Store this summary with your medication list.

Follow through and follow up

Schedule tests and referrals promptly. If results do not arrive when expected, call the office or send a portal message. If the plan is not working, reach out early rather than waiting for the next appointment.
Your Understood Care Advocate can help during and after appointments by capturing key details, scheduling tests and referrals, tracking results, coordinating with your clinicians, and checking in to keep the plan on track.‍

When to seek more help

If you still feel uncertain after you ask questions and use teach back, it is reasonable to request a second opinion. If you ever have new severe symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, or signs of a serious allergic reaction, seek emergency care immediately.

If you still feel uncertain after you ask questions and use teach back, it is reasonable to request a second opinion. An Understood Care Advocate can help you choose the right type of second opinion, gather your records and imaging, schedule the visit, prepare focused questions, and ensure results are shared with your clinician. Learn more at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/second-opinion. If you ever have new severe symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, or signs of a serious allergic reaction, seek emergency care immediately.

Tools you can use today

1. Question planning tools that let you build a custom list for different visit types
2. Printable worksheets to organize history, symptoms, and questions
3. Medication list templates that you can keep in your wallet or purse
4. Patient portals that provide summaries, test results, and secure messaging

How Understood Care can support you

Care advocates can help you prepare questions, organize your medication list, join you during visits if needed, and follow up afterward so your instructions are clear and your next steps are scheduled. If you would like support with communication, appointments, or care coordination, see the Understood Care resources in the references.

FAQ: Getting the Most Out of Your Doctor Visits

• Why is good communication with my healthcare provider so important?
  Clear conversations help you get accurate diagnoses, safer treatments, and care that fits your goals and preferences. When you prepare, ask questions, and speak up, you make better use of limited visit time and reduce confusion later. This is especially important if you are an older adult, have several conditions, or are a caregiver.‍
• How should I prepare before an appointment?
  Before your visit:
  • Choose one main concern you want to discuss first.
  • Write a short list of questions you want answered today.
  • Gather your medication list, medical history, and key test results if you have them.
  • Note your other clinicians and any recent hospital stays.
  An Understood Care advocate can help you organize all of this ahead of time.‍
• What information should I bring with me?
  ‍Bring:
  • A complete list of all medicines you take
    • Prescriptions
    • Over the counter products
    • Vitamins and supplements
    • Herbal remedies
    • Allergies and past side effects
  • Your main diagnoses and important past tests or procedures
  • Names of your other providers
  • A written list of your top questions
  ‍
• How can I plan for access and support during the visit?
  • Bring glasses, hearing aids, mobility devices, or other supports you use.
  • Consider having a trusted family member or friend join you.
  • If English is not your preferred language, ask for a professional interpreter.
  Understood Care advocates can help request interpreters, invite support people, and join visits by phone or video if needed.‍
• What should I tell my provider during the appointment?
  ‍Describe:
  • When each symptom started and how it has changed
  • What makes it better or worse
  • How it affects your daily life and activities
  • Your goals and what matters most to you
  Being honest about habits, challenges, and concerns helps your provider recommend a plan that fits your real life.‍
• What are good questions to ask my doctor?
  ‍You can use questions such as:
  • What do you think is causing these symptoms
  • What tests do I need and why
  • What are my treatment options and how do they compare
  • What are the benefits and risks of this plan
  • How will this affect my other conditions and medicines
  • What should I do at home and when should I call for help
  • How and when will I receive my test results
  ‍
• What is “teach back” and how do I use it?
  Teach back means repeating the plan in your own words so your provider can confirm it is correct. For example:I will take the new medicine once each evening with food, schedule my blood test next week, and call if my swelling gets worse.If you miss something, your provider can clarify it right away
• ‍How should I talk with my provider about my medicines?
  ‍During the visit:
  • Show your full medication and supplement list.
  • Ask about interactions and side effects that matter for your age and conditions.
  • If cost or taking many pills is a problem, ask about simpler schedules or alternatives.
  For every new medicine, ask:
  • What is this for
  • Exactly how and when do I take it
  • What should I avoid (foods, alcohol, other medicines, driving)
  • What side effects are common and what should I do if they occur
  • What serious warning signs mean I should get urgent care
  ‍
• How can I get reliable written information about my medicines?
  ‍Ask your pharmacist for:
  • Medication Guides or patient handouts
  • Clear instructions on how to take each medicine
  Keep them with your medication list so you can review key safety points at home.‍
• How do I make telehealth visits go smoothly?
  • Test your phone, tablet, or computer before the visit.
  • Choose a quiet, well lit space.
  • Have your notes, medication list, and bottles nearby.
  • If you cannot hear or understand, say so right away.
  • Ask for written instructions through the portal or by mail after the visit.
  ‍
• What should I do right after the appointment?
  ‍As soon as you can, write down:
  • Your diagnosis or main impression
  • New medicines or dose changes
  • Tests that were ordered and why
  • Referrals to other specialists or services
  • When your next visit should be
  Store this summary with your medication list.‍
• How do I make sure tests and referrals actually happen?
  • Schedule tests and referrals as soon as possible.
  • Use your calendar, alarms, or reminders.
  • If results do not arrive when expected, call the office or send a portal message.
  • If the plan is not working, do not wait for the next routine visit. Reach out early.
  Understood Care advocates can schedule appointments, track test results, and follow up on referrals and authorizations for you.‍
• When is it reasonable to ask for a second opinion?
  ‍A second opinion is reasonable if:
  • You still feel unsure after asking questions and using teach back
  • You are facing a major decision such as surgery or a new long term treatment
  • You receive different messages from different clinicians
  An Understood Care advocate can help you:
  • Decide which type of second opinion you need
  • Gather records and imaging
  • Schedule the visit
  • Prepare focused questions
  • Make sure results are sent back to your main clinician
  ‍
• When should I seek urgent care instead of waiting for my next visit?
  ‍Call emergency services right away for:
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Trouble breathing
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or weakness
  • Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, hives with trouble breathing, or feeling like you might pass out
  These symptoms need immediate medical attention, not a routine visit.‍
• How can Understood Care advocates support me with communication and appointments?
  ‍Understood Care advocates can:
  • Help you prepare questions and goals before each visit
  • Organize your medication list and medical history
  • Join visits by phone or video if you wish and take notes
  • Translate medical language into everyday terms
  • Schedule and track tests, referrals, and follow up
  • Coordinate information between your different clinicians
  If you want help with communication, appointments, or care coordination, you can explore the Understood Care resources listed in the guide or connect directly with an advocate for one on one support.

References

• High authority clinical and government resources:
• AHRQ Questions Are the Answer main page. Full toolkit on asking questions and preparing for visits. https://www.ahrq.gov/questions ‍
• AHRQ Question Builder online tool for creating a personalized question list. https://www.ahrq.gov/questions/question-builder/online.html‍
• National Institute on Aging Talking With Your Doctor guide for older adults. https://order.nia.nih.gov/publication/talking-with-your-doctor-a-guide-for-older-adults‍
• National Institute on Aging Talking With Your Doctor worksheets. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/medical-care-and-appointments/talking-your-doctor-worksheets‍
• MedlinePlus Talking With Your Doctor topic page that aggregates trusted resources. https://medlineplus.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor.html‍
• MedlinePlus patient instructions Make the most of your doctor visit. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000860.htm‍
• Mayo Clinic How to make the most of your appointment practical preparation tips. https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-appointment‍
• Cleveland Clinic Questions To Ask Your Doctor conversation starters by topic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patients/information/questions-to-ask-your-doctor‍
• Cleveland Clinic Appointment Checklist guidance for during the visit. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patients/information/appointment-checklist‍
• FDA Patient Labeling Resources including Medication Guides for many prescriptions. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fdas-labeling-resources-human-prescription-drugs/patient-labeling-resources‍
• FDA Patient Medication Information proposal overview for a simpler one page handout. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fdas-labeling-resources-human-prescription-drugs/patient-medication-information-pmi‍
• CDC Medication Safety and Your Health tips for safe use and asking questions. https://www.cdc.gov/medication-safety/about/index.html‍
• CDC MyMedications List printable form to track all medicines and supplements. https://www.cdc.gov/older-adult-drivers/media/pdfs/MyMedications-List-Tribal.pdf‍
• CDC Personal Action Plan for medications and follow up. https://www.cdc.gov/older-adult-drivers/media/pdfs/Personal-Action-Plan.pdf‍
• AHRQ Teach Back intervention overview for confirming understanding. https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/reports/engage/interventions/teachback.html

Related Understood Care pages:

• Communication support from advocates. https://understoodcare.com/care-types/communication‍
• Help with scheduling and preparing for appointments. https://understoodcare.com/care-types/appointments‍
• Care coordination across providers and services. https://understoodcare.com/care-types/care-coordination‍
• Meet the advocates who can assist with communication and follow up. https://understoodcare.com/advocate

This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized care.