Preparing for Doctor Visits: What Records to Bring

Getting the Most Out of Your Doctor Visits

The average doctor visit lasts just 15-20 minutes. Being prepared with the right information helps you make the most of that limited time and ensures your provider has what they need to care for you properly.

Before Every Appointment

Always Bring:

• Current medication list (including supplements)
• List of allergies
• Insurance cards
• Photo ID
• Questions you want to ask

Consider Bringing:

• Recent lab results (if from another provider)
• Relevant imaging reports
• Specialist notes
• Symptom diary or tracking data
• List of previous surgeries and procedures

For New Patient Visits

When seeing a new provider, they need your complete history:

• Medical history summary
• Family health history
• Immunization records
• Previous provider contact information
• Records from recent hospitalizations
• Surgical history with dates

For Specialist Referrals

Specialists benefit from:

• Referral letter from your primary care doctor
• Relevant test results
• Previous treatment records for the condition
• Timeline of symptoms
• What has and hasn’t worked

For Emergency Situations

In emergencies, responders and ER staff need:

• Current medications and dosages
• Known allergies (especially drug allergies)
• Current medical conditions
• Emergency contact information
• Primary care physician details

Consider keeping an emergency card in your wallet and on your phone’s lock screen.

Using VertexMD to Stay Prepared

Digital health records make preparation simple:

• Access your complete health history anytime
• Generate summaries for specific visits
• Share records directly with providers via FHIR
• Export specific documents as PDFs
• Never forget important information

Tips for Better Visits

Before the appointment:

• Write down your questions in priority order
• Note any new symptoms with dates
• List any changes since your last visit
• Know what you want to accomplish

During the appointment:

• Lead with your most important concerns
• Be honest and complete
• Take notes or ask to record the conversation
• Ask for clarification if needed
• Confirm next steps before leaving

After the appointment:

• Request copies of any new test orders
• Add visit notes to your records
• Schedule any follow-up appointments
• Update your medication list if changed

Building a Complete Picture

Your healthcare providers can only work with the information they have. By maintaining organized digital records and bringing relevant information to appointments, you become an active partner in your care—and that leads to better outcomes.