The average GP appointment lasts around ten minutes. That isn't much time to cover your symptoms, review your history, discuss a diagnosis and agree on next steps. Arriving prepared is the single most effective way to get more out of that time — both for you and your doctor.
Your documents and records
- Referral letter from your GP, if you're seeing a specialist
- Results of any recent tests — blood work, imaging, biopsies
- A list of every medication you're currently taking, including dose and frequency
- Records from previous relevant appointments, especially if you're seeing a new provider
- Your insurance card and any pre-authorisation forms if required
A written list of your symptoms
It sounds simple, but most people forget at least one symptom once they're in the room. Write down: when each symptom started, how often it occurs, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life. Order the list by what worries you most — doctors work through it from the top.
If you've been tracking vitals at home — blood pressure, blood glucose, weight — bring those readings too. A trend over several weeks is far more informative than a single number taken in the waiting room.
Your questions
Write your questions down before you go. Research consistently shows that patients who arrive with a written question list get more of their concerns addressed and leave with better understanding of their situation. Three to five focused questions are better than a long unfocused list.
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What tests, if any, do I need — and what will they tell us?
- What are my treatment options and the trade-offs between them?
- Are there lifestyle changes that would help?
- What should I watch for that would mean I need to come back sooner?
Your allergy and medication history
Medication errors are one of the most preventable causes of harm in healthcare. Make sure your provider knows about every allergy — including drug allergies, food allergies and latex — and every supplement or over-the-counter drug you take, not just prescription medications. Some interactions are non-obvious.
Looms stores your allergy and medication list in your profile and makes it shareable in seconds — so even if you're seeing an unfamiliar provider in an emergency, this information is never locked away on a different system. See our article on medication errors and how to prevent them for why keeping this list complete matters so much.
Someone to help, if you need it
For complex appointments — a new diagnosis, a significant procedure, a mental health review — consider bringing a trusted friend or family member. Two sets of ears catch more, and having someone else present means you can focus on what's being said rather than trying to write it down at the same time.
After the appointment
Note any instructions, follow-up actions and the next appointment date before you leave the building. If you received new test results or a referral letter, upload them to your health record immediately. The information is freshest right now, and future-you will be glad it's organised.
Looms' Appointment Prep guide walks you through reviewing your records, medications and active conditions before any scheduled appointment, so you arrive knowing your own history as well as your doctor does.