Visiting Your DoctorGynecologist Checklist

• Health conditions that run in your family (examples: breast or other cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, alcoholism).
  
• Past illnesses and what medical treatment you had for each.
  
• Past hospitalizations and any surgery you have had.
  
• Medications you take, have taken (names, doses, side effects, if any).
  
• Number of pregnancies, their outcomes and any problems you had.
  
• Birth control method(s) you have used and use now and side effects, if any.
  
• Menstrual history, when you started your periods, if they’ve been regular or not and if you have or have had any problems.
  
• Take the list with you when you go to the doctor’s office.

Second:

• Diagnosis (What’s wrong?)
  
• Why do I have this problem? Ask the doctor to explain any medical terms you don’t know.
  
• Do I need more testing? If so, what? How much do these tests cost? Will my insurance cover them? Where do I get the information?
  
• Prognosis (What will happen?)
  
• How will this problem affect me in the future?
  
• Treatment (What should I do?)
  
• What treatment should I follow? This could include medical treatment or changes to diet or lifestyle.
  
• What will happen if I don’t treat it now?
  
• How do I get ready for any tests that I need?
  
• How often should I have a mammogram, pelvic exam, pap smear and professional breast exam? Should I have any tests for STDs?
  
• What other tests should I have and when?
  
• Do I call to schedule the test or does your office do it for me?
  
• When and how will I get the test results?
  
• Should I call you?
  
• When do you want to see me again?
  
• What else should I know?
  
• Can I get any more information about this problem?
  
• Are there any local or national health organizations that I can call or write to for more information? Do you have their numbers and addresses?
  
• Where should I go if I need emergency care?
  
• Specialists (What about seeing another doctor?)
  
• Should I see a specialist?
  
• Does this specialist work out of more than one office?
  
• Whom should I see? Can you write this down for me?
  
• Is this person board certified?
  
• How soon should I be seen by this specialist?
  
• What if I can’t get an appointment for a month or more? Can you help me get in sooner or should I try to see someone else?
  
• Doctor Fees (How much will this cost me?)
  
• What will this office visit cost me today?
  
• What will the fees be for other services? Ask this before you get the services.
  
• What does my health insurance cover?
  
• Medications (What will the medicine do?)
  
• Why do I need this medicine?
  
• What is the name of the drug?
  
• How and when should I take it?
  
• Are there any foods, drinks or things I should avoid when taking this medicine?
  
• What should I do if I forget to take it?
  
• Should I expect side effects?
  
• Is this drug known to cause birth defects? (For women who are pregnant or planning a future pregnancy.)
  
• Will I have to take this medicine for a short time or from now on?
  
• Is there a generic equivalent of this medicine?
  
• Will this medicine be okay to take with other medicine I’m already taking?
  
• Could any non-drug measures work as well?
  
• Surgery (What if I need an operation?)
  
• Do I need surgery at this time?
  
• Who will do the surgery? How many times has this surgeon done it?
  
• Is there a certain time of the month I should have this surgery?
  
• What are my choices with surgery? Ask about minor procedures vs.. major ones.
  
• Do I have any choices instead of surgery?
  
• What are the benefits? What are the risks?
  
• Where will I have this surgery?
  
• Can I have the surgery as an outpatient?
  
• Where can I get a second opinion? Know if your insurance company needs a second opinion for surgery. Find out what their rules are. Your insurance company may want you to call a certain number and use certain doctors for second opinions.