One of the best things you can do for your overall health is to see a primary care provider regularly. Even if you’re generally healthy and seeing that provider just once a year, they can help you stay healthy and lower your risk of long-term health problems. They also can confirm you’re on the right medications and seeing the appropriate specialists.
And they’re crucial if you do get sick: Having established care with a primary care provider means you might not have to head to urgent care when you’re not feeling well.
“At our clinics, there’s an after-hours nurse triage line and virtual care, so you have access to a provider even when the office is closed,” says UNC Health family medicine physician Rachael Hollifield, DO. “When you’re sick, there will be someone who knows you, your history, and what’s important to you. Without a primary care provider, you’re missing out on that opportunity for personalized care.”
If you’re preparing to establish care with a new primary care provider, you may be wondering how that first appointment will go, especially if you don’t have any major health concerns right now. Dr. Hollifield explains how you can prepare for the visit and what to expect.
1. Gather medications and medical history.
At the first visit, your provider will be working to understand your health. To do that, they need to understand what medications you take and your medical history.
“If you’re on medications, bring a list of them or the bottles themselves,” Dr. Hollifield says. “If you can, bring or send your prior medical records, especially around general health maintenance—any screenings or vaccines you’ve had.”
If you don’t know your family medical history, talk to first-degree relatives (parents and siblings) about any health concerns or known cancers in your family before the appointment, if possible. That will help your doctor understand if you need earlier screenings for any chronic conditions that have genetic components.
“It’s common for parents not to tell you if they had polyps on their colonoscopy, or for a mother not to say what age she went through menopause, so you have to ask,” Dr. Hollifield says. “Ask if they’re on any medications for chronic conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure.”
2. Consider logistics.
You don’t want to feel frazzled or frustrated when you meet your new provider, so take time before your appointment to understand when you need to check in for your appointment, where you’re going, where to park and what forms you can complete before arrival. If you know you will need a translator or help because of hearing or vision issues, tell your provider’s office when making your appointment.
Before your appointment, think about whether you want someone there with you.
“If you have a complex medical history or take a lot of medications and you think it will be overwhelming to remember everything, it can be great to bring someone,” Dr. Hollifield says. “If you know you’re having blood work and you have a needle phobia, you might want someone there.”
If you are having blood work, Dr. Hollifield recommends arriving well-hydrated; if you’re not sure whether you are, you can call your provider’s office. Blood works also can be scheduled for a separate day.
And consider your clothing choices if you’re having blood work or receiving a vaccine.
“It’s good to keep your arms accessible, so wear something where you can pull up your sleeve or take your arm out of a sleeve,” Dr. Hollifield says. “You might undress if you’re having a Pap test for cervical cancer screening or a breast exam, but otherwise, not everyone has to fully undress for this appointment.”
3. Be ready for measurements and questions.
Before you see your provider, a medical assistant will get your weight and height and take your blood pressure. Dr. Hollifield understands that some patients might be concerned about these measurements.
“I hear from people that they haven’t seen a doctor because they don’t want to be lectured about their weight or lifestyle, but that’s not what this is,” she says. “Something like weight is important to a holistic picture of health, but you can turn around on the scale and not look if you prefer not to see the number.”
Dr. Hollifield says that some patients are surprised by some of the questions about mental, social or financial issues that a medical assistant or provider might ask.
“The (new patient appointment) process includes a basic depression screening, questions about whether you feel safe at home and whether there are financial barriers or transportation barriers to care,” Dr. Hollifield says.
You’ll be asked these questions every visit so there’s an opportunity to tell your provider if anything has changed. If anything makes you uncomfortable or nervous, feel free to tell your provider that, too.
“The first visit is the beginning of the relationship, and we know it takes time to build trust,” Dr. Hollifield says. “If you’re nervous or worried, share that with your provider, and we can try to make it easier.”
4. Write down your own questions.
If you’re generally healthy with few concerns, you may be wondering what will happen during the first appointment.
“The first visit will be your medical history and your family medical history,” Dr. Hollifield says. “You’re establishing that relationship and a baseline, and we’ll start to look forward on preventive care, vaccines and cancer screenings.”
If you have questions about anything related to your health, write them down and bring them with you so you don’t forget to ask. It’s important to note that some questions or concerns might require a separate visit, depending on their complexity, so your doctor may ask you to schedule another appointment.
“In that first visit, you may not get to everything, but ideally, this is the start of a long-term relationship,” Dr. Hollifield says, noting that you should also assess how you feel about your new provider after the visit. “If it doesn’t feel right, that’s OK. Find the right fit for you. You’re more likely to follow your doctor’s guidance when you trust them.”
Questions about your health? Talk to your doctor. If you need a doctor, find one near you.