Doctor Discussion Guide | Autoimmune Hub - Appointment Preparation Tools

Appointment Preparation Tools

Interactive checklists, printable templates, and guided worksheets to help you make the most of your medical appointments

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Pre-Appointment Checklist

Interactive checklist to help you prepare everything you need before your appointment

Start Checklist →

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Symptom Documentation

Comprehensive template to track and document your symptoms for better communication

Use Template →

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Questions to Ask

Curated list of important questions organized by appointment type and concern

Browse Questions →

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Treatment Decision Worksheet

Compare treatment options, weigh pros and cons, and document your preferences

Start Worksheet →

Pre-Appointment Checklist

Make sure you're fully prepared before your appointment

📅 Before You Go

📦 What to Bring

💬 During the Appointment

✅ After the Appointment

Symptom Documentation Template

Track your symptoms comprehensively to help your doctor understand your experience

Why document symptoms? Detailed symptom tracking helps your healthcare provider:

Identify patterns and triggers
Assess disease activity and progression
Make more informed treatment decisions
Evaluate whether current treatments are working

Symptom Details

Primary Symptom or Concern:

When did this symptom start?

How often does it occur?

Severity (1-10):

1 (Mild) 5 10 (Severe)

Duration of each episode:

Possible triggers or patterns:

How does this affect your daily life?

What have you tried to manage this?

Additional notes:

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Important questions organized by topic to help guide your conversation

🔬 About Your Diagnosis

What specific autoimmune condition do I have?
How did you arrive at this diagnosis?
What tests confirm this diagnosis?
Is it possible I have more than one autoimmune condition?
What is the typical progression of this condition?
Are there different subtypes or severity levels?
What causes this condition?
Is this condition hereditary? Should my family be tested?

⚡ About Your Symptoms

Which of my symptoms are directly related to my condition?
Are any symptoms side effects from medications?
What symptoms indicate I should contact you immediately?
How can I distinguish between a flare and normal fluctuations?
Why are my symptoms worse at certain times?
Is fatigue a symptom or a separate issue to address?
What can I do to manage symptoms between appointments?

💊 About Treatment Options

What are all my treatment options?
What are the benefits and risks of each option?
How do you decide which treatment is best for me?
How long before I see improvement?
What are the potential side effects?
How will we monitor if the treatment is working?
What happens if this treatment doesn't work?
Are there any clinical trials I should consider?
How will this treatment affect my daily life?

💉 About Medications

What is this medication supposed to do?
How and when should I take it?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
What side effects should I watch for?
Are there any drug interactions I should know about?
Can I take over-the-counter medications with this?
How long will I need to take this medication?
Are there generic alternatives available?
What if I can't afford this medication?

🧪 About Tests and Monitoring

What tests do I need and why?
How often should I have blood work done?
What are we monitoring with these tests?
How will you share test results with me?
What do my test results mean?
Are my results improving or worsening?
Do I need any imaging studies?

🏃 About Lifestyle and Self-Care

Are there dietary changes that might help?
What level of physical activity is safe for me?
How can I manage stress and fatigue?
Are there any activities I should avoid?
Can I travel? Are there special precautions?
How does this condition affect pregnancy/family planning?
Should I avoid any vaccines or get specific ones?
Are there support groups you recommend?

👥 About Specialist Care

Should I see other specialists?
How will my care be coordinated between providers?
Who should I contact with questions between appointments?
When should I schedule follow-up appointments?
What records should I keep track of?

🔮 About Prognosis and Future

What is the long-term outlook for my condition?
Will my symptoms get better or worse over time?
What complications should I be aware of?
How will this affect my life expectancy?
What can I do to improve my long-term outcome?
Are there emerging treatments on the horizon?

Treatment Decision Worksheet

Compare treatment options and document your preferences to make informed decisions

How to use this worksheet:

Fill out information for each treatment option you're considering
Rate each factor based on importance to you (1-5)
Discuss your ratings and concerns with your healthcare provider
Use this to guide your shared decision-making process

Treatment Options Comparison

Option 1

Treatment Name:

How it works:

Expected Benefits:

Potential Risks/Side Effects:

Administration Method:

Frequency:

Time to See Results:

Estimated Cost (with insurance):

Option 2

Treatment Name:

How it works:

Expected Benefits:

Potential Risks/Side Effects:

Administration Method:

Frequency:

Time to See Results:

Estimated Cost (with insurance):

Your Priorities & Concerns

Rate each factor's importance to you (1 = Not Important, 5 = Very Important)

Effectiveness in controlling symptoms:

Minimizing side effects:

Ease of administration:

Cost/affordability:

Quick onset of benefits:

Minimal impact on daily routine:

My biggest concerns about treatment:

My goals for treatment:

Questions I still have:

Appointment Success Tips

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Take Notes or Record

Bring someone with you or ask permission to record the conversation. You'll retain more information and can review details later.

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Prioritize Your Concerns

List your top 3 concerns and address them first. Appointments are often short, so focus on what matters most.

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Be Honest and Specific

Share accurate information about symptoms, medication adherence, and lifestyle factors. Specifics help your doctor help you better.

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Ask for Clarification

If you don't understand something, ask your doctor to explain it differently. It's their job to make sure you understand your care.

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Confirm Next Steps

Before leaving, make sure you understand: new medications, when to follow up, warning signs to watch for, and who to contact with questions.

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Build a Partnership

Remember that you and your doctor are a team. Your insights about your body are valuable contributions to your care plan.