Be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic

Before your visit to a doctor or health care practitioner, be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic by making sure that you take all the important information with you including your medical records.

• Dates and results of checkups and screening tests
• List of shots you’ve received (and the dates you got them)
• Medicines you take, how much you take, and why you take them (including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins)
• Any health conditions you have, including allergies
• The name and phone number of a friend or relative to call if there’s an emergency
• A list of other doctors, dentist, practitioners or specialists you are seeing.

Make a list of any important changes in your life or health. Changes especially stressful ones can have a direct effect to your overall health.  Be sure to include things like:

• Becoming unemployed
• A death in the family
• A serious illness
• Surgery
• A medical condition
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Pain or discomfort

The health history of your family is an important part of your personal health record so keep track of conditions that run in your family.

Don’t forget to take a notepad and write down the answers so you remember them later. You may also want to take a friend for support, and don’t be afraid to ask lots of question or have the health practitioner  repeat specific information that you are not sure about.

Staying healthy means taking care of yourself all year long.  Your plan may include getting more active, eating healthy, or watching your weight.  Whatever your health goal, remember to be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic and let your health care practitioner be part of your health team.