Doctor's Appointments

Many people have their parents schedule their appointment, but it is a very useful life skill to be able to take care of yourself and know when and how to go to the doctor if you are feeling sick.

Steps to take:

Know the number of your doctors office
Know who you are going to see and the reason behind this appointment/ who you want to call
Have your health insurance card on hand (they will ask what kind of insurance you have to make sure they take that type of insurance), especially if you are a knew patient
Have an idea of what times you can be seen (prefered dates and times, have a calender in front of you)
Make the phone call
Make a list of questions to ask before appointment
Before the appointment the office will tell you if you need to do anything to prepare (depending on surcumstance)

Things to know:

Know who you are calling (dermatologist, primary care physician, etc.), make sure you have the right number for the office you want to call
Know what medications you are on
Know what allergies you have
Family history (especially if it is a specific health issue, family history of cancer/ heart decisions)
When was your last period?
If you have a specific problem you should know when it started and the severity of symptoms, and if you've done anything to try to treat it before the doctor (ex. taking pain medication)
Have a list of questions (write them down if necessary)
If you feel that your doctor is not giving you an accurate diagnosis, trust yourself and ask for a second opinion.

When to go:

Flu shots (Flu season runs from October through May, but the peak is usually around December and January).
Routine physical once a year.
Your symptoms won’t go away.
You have a fever (Adults: 103°F or higher or if it lasts more than 3 days).
Unexpected symptoms after surgery or when starting a new medication.
New or worsening mental health issues.
Digestive issues or stomach problems.
You're having trouble thinking or seeing.
It is important to keep up with your different doctors including your dentist, dermatologist, and OB/GYN.

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