10 Questions to Ask During Your Primary Care Visit

Typically, Primary Care visits are relatively quick. When you come in for a specific problem, such as a cold or stomachache, both you and your doctor are focused on solving the issue at hand. However, you may forget to ask your doctor important questions that are vital to your health and well-being.

1. What preventive services or tests are right for me? Depending on your risk factors, such as weight, family history, race, or gender, your doctor may recommend screenings or preventive measures you can take to decrease your chances of developing certain diseases.
2. How does my family history affect my risk for certain diseases? It’s extremely important to discuss your family health history with your doctor. Common conditions that run in families include diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and high blood pressure. Raising this question with your doctor will help you get the resources you need to lower your risk of developing these conditions.
3. What internet resources are reliable for medical information? While you should always ask your doctor any medical questions you have, you may still want to do your own research. Anyone can post information to the internet—but that information can be inaccurate and misleading. Ask your doctor which sites they trust.
4. Why are you prescribing this medication? Trust between a patient and doctor is vital. If you’re weary about your doctor prescribing a certain medication, ask why it was chosen for you. This opens the conversation for your doctor to explain more about your treatment and how it can help you.
5. Can you explain these test results? Medical jargon can be confusing. Numbers and abbreviations on paper might not translate what your results mean for your health. By asking your doctor, they can walk you through your results step-by-step and clarify any questions or concerns you have along the way.
6. What should I be eating? Depending on your weight or health conditions, your doctor can help you make diet choices to improve your health. Certain foods increase blood pressure and cholesterol. If you or a family member have a history of these conditions, your doctor can give you a list of foods to eat or avoid.
7. How often should I be making appointments? Regular checkups help you stay proactive about your health. Depending on what health conditions you have, your doctor may recommend appointments on a more frequent basis.
8. How can I manage my condition? If you’ve been diagnosed with a disease or medical condition, understanding it will help you move forward with treatment. Ask your doctor for information about your condition, what you can do to treat it, and how it may affect you.
9. Are my blood sugar levels healthy? According to the CDC, 1 in 5 people don’t know they have diabetes. There are many symptoms including extreme thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss—but they can easily go unnoticed. By asking about your blood sugar levels, you can make sure you’re not diabetic or prediabetic.
10. Are all my vaccines up to date? Getting a vaccine once doesn’t necessarily make you immune forever, as vaccinations you received as a child can wear off over time. There are vaccines that you need to keep up with, such as flu shots and Td vaccines. You may need other vaccines based on your age, health conditions, job, or travel habits.

Being proactive about your health by asking questions helps your doctor give you the best treatment possible. At Frederick Health, our Primary Care providers evaluate and treat your healthcare needs.

Take control of your health and schedule an appointment with Primary Care. We offer in-person visits, virtual care, and walk-in appointments.