Appointment prep sheet builder
Specialist appointments are short, often fifteen minutes or less. Walking in with your symptoms written down and your questions ready is the single most effective thing you can do to get value from one.
Pick a specialty, add your symptoms, and print a one-page sheet to take with you.
Nothing you type here is saved or sent anywhere. It stays in this browser tab and disappears when you close it. There is no account, no storage, and no tracking on this page.
This builder needs JavaScript. The checklist below covers the same ground and can be printed as it is.
What to bring
- Photo ID and your insurance card
- A referral, if your plan requires one
- A list of every medication and supplement you take, with doses
- Any relevant test results, scans, or records from other doctors
- A list of allergies and past reactions
- Relevant family medical history
- A notebook, or someone to take notes for you
Questions worth asking at any appointment
- What do you think is causing this?
- What else could it be?
- What tests do I need, and what will they tell us?
- When and how will I get the results?
- What are my treatment options, and what happens if I do nothing?
- What should I watch for that would mean I need to come back sooner?
- Who do I contact if this gets worse?
Before you leave, confirm
- What is the working diagnosis, or what are we ruling out?
- What is the next step, and who arranges it?
- When should I expect to hear from you?
- Do I need a follow-up appointment, and when?
- What is the name and spelling of anything you have been told?
Frequently asked questions
- What should I bring to a doctor's appointment?
- ID and insurance, a referral if required, a full medication list with doses, relevant records and results, allergies, family history, and something to take notes with.
- What questions should I ask my doctor?
- Start with what is causing this, what else it could be, what tests are needed, and what happens if you do nothing. The builder adds questions specific to the specialty you are seeing.
- Is my information saved or sent anywhere?
- No. Everything stays in your browser tab and is discarded when you close it. Nothing is stored or transmitted.
- How long should a prep sheet be?
- One page. A focused single page beats several pages you will never get through in a fifteen-minute appointment.
- Should I bring someone with me?
- It helps a great deal, particularly when the problem affects memory, concentration, mood, or energy.
Related reading
- How to prepare for your first specialist appointment
- What your symptom timeline should include
- What to do when a doctor dismisses your symptoms
This is not medical advice. This tool is educational only. It does not diagnose conditions and is not a substitute for professional medical care. In an emergency, call 911. Read our full medical disclaimer.
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