How to Make the Most of Your Medical Appointments

We encourage you to begin with selecting a Primary Care Provider (PCP) from our clinical staff. For continuity of care, we recommend staying with the same clinician throughout your college career. Once you find a nurse practitioner or physician you like, you can request this individual each time you make an appointment. Likewise, if you have been seeing a particular clinician, and want to switch, you can do so at any time. See Meet the Clinical Staff to learn more about the UHS Tang Center clinical providers.

Prepare for your appointment

• If it is your first appointment, bring a copy of any record (or at least the knowledge) of your medical history, including immunizations, major illnesses and injuries, allergies to foods and medication, current medicines and prescriptions and any significant family health history. This will help you fill out your health history form. This information is essential to your clinician in evaluating your condition and making a diagnosis.
• Think about how you can explain your problem. Include signs, symptoms, frequency, duration, location, etc.
• Jot down questions if you think it will help you remember to ask.
• Allow plenty of time for arrival. It's okay to be early, but not late.

During your appointment

• Relate your symptoms or concerns, being as specific as possible. Provide complete information, even if it seems embarrassing. In fact, there is no reason to feel any embarrassment. Not only are clinicians open to detailed information, they expect and appreciate it. If you're concerned about confidentiality, say so. Your clinician will explain that without your permission, your medical information will not be given to anyone who is not directly connected with your care (except as required by law).
• Ask for clarification if you don't understand something -- don't just pretend to understand.
• If you are fearful, shy or hesitant about the risks of any procedures, don't hesitate to say so. There may be other options.

After your appointment

• Follow through with any prescribed tests, procedures, referrals, or follow-up appointments.
• In order for medication to be effective, it is imperative that you complete the prescribed course. Don't stop taking medications just because the symptoms have gone away.
• Follow through with advice and instruction related to self-care and prevention. This may include lifestyle changes such as cutting down on alcohol or certain foods; specific healing behaviors, such as refraining from vigorous exercise; or actions to avoid transmission of illness, such as refraining from sex.
• If new symptoms appear or your condition worsens; or if you have questions, call the advice nurse or call the clinic where you were seen and ask for your clinician.
• Have realistic expectations. Clinicians are knowledgeable, but they can't cure every problem; sometimes even diagnosis is difficult. For some situations, more than one treatment must be tried to find the best alternative. Sometimes, only time will heal a condition. Expect to participate in improving your health

Ongoing

• Keep an updated record (or at least the knowledge of) the health history information noted under "prepare for your appointment" above. This information will continue to be useful for future appointments.
• Keep a first-aid kit with a thermometer. Your temperature is always a useful indicator of illness, and you will be asked for this information when you call the advice nurse.

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