www.aarp.org Open in urlscan Pro
99.86.4.44  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

<form class="aarp-c-microform__form aarp-c-microform__form@mobile  aarp-c-microform__form@tablet" onsubmit="return false">
  <button type="submit"
    class="aarp-c-microform--submit-button aarp-c-microform-basic--submit-button  aarp-c-microform--submit-search-icon aarp-c-microform--submit-button@mobile aarp-c-microform--submit-button@tablet aarp-c-microform__subscribe uxdia-c-button uxdia-c-button--primary"
    data-formelementid="NAW-NEWSLT-BTN_CLK-SUBSCRIBE-EN," data-modal-id="1057499338" aria-label="Subscribe">Subscribe</button>
</form>

<form class="aarp-c-microform__form aarp-c-microform__form@mobile  aarp-c-microform__form@tablet" onsubmit="return false">
  <button type="submit"
    class="aarp-c-microform--submit-button aarp-c-microform-basic--submit-button  aarp-c-microform--submit-search-icon aarp-c-microform--submit-button@mobile aarp-c-microform--submit-button@tablet aarp-c-microform__subscribe uxdia-c-button uxdia-c-button--primary"
    data-formelementid="NAW-NEWSLT-BTN_CLK-SUBSCRIBE-HEALTH-EN,NAW-NEWSLT-BTN_CLK-POLITICS-HEALTH-EN" data-modal-id="1240069326" aria-label="Subscribe">Subscribe</button>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to content

Speak with student loan debt experts about repayment options at a free, live
workshop Dec. 11. 

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


 *  * Membership & Benefits

 *  * Members Edition

Rewards Star AARP Rewards

Help

Register

Login

Login



Content starts here
CLOSE ×
Search
Health
All Topics
Entertainment
Health
Money
Policy & Research
Travel
Work
Member Benefits
Caregiving
Rewards
Videos
{"dropDownLabel":"All
Topics","dropDownValue":"everywhere"},{"dropDownLabel":"Entertainment","dropDownValue":"entertainment"},{"dropDownLabel":"Health","dropDownValue":"health"},{"dropDownLabel":"Money","dropDownValue":"money"},{"dropDownLabel":"Policy
&
Research","dropDownValue":"research"},{"dropDownLabel":"Travel","dropDownValue":"travel"},{"dropDownLabel":"Work","dropDownValue":"work"},{"dropDownLabel":"Member
Benefits","dropDownValue":"member
benefits"},{"dropDownLabel":"Caregiving","dropDownValue":"caregiving"},{"dropDownLabel":"Rewards","dropDownValue":"rewards"},{"dropDownLabel":"Videos","dropDownValue":"videos"}

Search
Popular Searches

Games

Car rental

AARP daily Crossword Puzzle

Hotels with AARP discounts

Life Insurance

AARP Dental Insurance Plans

Travel

Suggested Links
Help Show me my account info Change my Address How do I contact AARP? Where is
my membership card? How do I get a digital card?

LAST CALL FOR LOW MEMBERSHIP RATES! LIMITED TIME OFFER

Black Friday Sale

Just $9 per year with a 5-year membership

Join now and get a FREE Gift!


Join
Renew
CLOSE ×
Search
All Topics
All Topics
Entertainment
Health
Money
Policy & Research
Travel
Work
Member Benefits
Caregiving
Rewards
Videos
{"dropDownLabel":"All
Topics","dropDownValue":"everywhere"},{"dropDownLabel":"Entertainment","dropDownValue":"entertainment"},{"dropDownLabel":"Health","dropDownValue":"health"},{"dropDownLabel":"Money","dropDownValue":"money"},{"dropDownLabel":"Policy
&
Research","dropDownValue":"research"},{"dropDownLabel":"Travel","dropDownValue":"travel"},{"dropDownLabel":"Work","dropDownValue":"work"},{"dropDownLabel":"Member
Benefits","dropDownValue":"member
benefits"},{"dropDownLabel":"Caregiving","dropDownValue":"caregiving"},{"dropDownLabel":"Rewards","dropDownValue":"rewards"},{"dropDownLabel":"Videos","dropDownValue":"videos"}

Search
Popular Searches

Games

Car rental

AARP daily Crossword Puzzle

Hotels with AARP discounts

Life Insurance

AARP Dental Insurance Plans

Travel

Suggested Links
Help Show me my account info Change my Address How do I contact AARP? Where is
my membership card? How do I get a digital card?

LAST CALL FOR LOW MEMBERSHIP RATES! LIMITED TIME OFFER

Black Friday Sale

Just $9 per year with a 5-year membership

Join now and get a FREE Gift!


Join
Renew
120x30-AARP-logo-red

 1.  right_container
 2.  Health
 3.  Money
 4.  Work & Jobs
 5.  Social Security
 6.  Medicare
 7.  Caregiving
 8.  Games
 9.  Travel
 10. More...

AARP en Español



 * AARP en Español
 * Membership & Benefits
 * Members Edition
 * AARP Rewards

 * AARP en Español
 * Membership & Benefits
 * Members Edition
 * AARP Rewards %{points}%

Back 

Health

Close Menu

Wellness

Conditions & Treatments

Drugs & Supplements

Health Care & Coverage

Health Benefits

AARP Hearing Center

Advice on Tinnitus and Hearing Loss



Your Health

What to Know About Vaccines



Brain Health Resources

Tools and Explainers on Brain Health


MEMBERS ONLY

Fitness

25 Ways to Get a Flatter Stomach

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Money

Close Menu

Scams & Fraud

Personal Finance

Taxes

Retirement

Money Benefits

Scams & Fraud

View and Report Scams in Your Area



AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

Free Tax Preparation Assistance



Retirement

AARP Retirement Calculator


MEMBERS ONLY

Your Money

25 Ways to Save at the Grocery Store

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Work & Jobs

Close Menu

Job Search

Careers

Small Business

Employers

Age Discrimination

Flexible Work

Freelance Jobs You Can Do From Home



AARP Skills Builder

Online Courses to Boost Your Career


MEMBERS ONLY

Careers

31 Great Ways to Boost Your Career

MEMBERS ONLY


ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Tips to Enhance Your Job Search



Back 

Social Security

Close Menu

Webinars

Get More out of Your Benefits



Enrollment

When to Start Taking Social Security



Basics

10 Top Social Security FAQs



Tools

Social Security Benefits Calculator



Back 

Medicare

Close Menu

Medicare Made Easy

Original vs. Medicare Advantage



Enrollment Guide

Step-by-Step Tool for First-Timers



Prescription Drugs

9 Biggest Changes Under New Rx Law



Medicare FAQs

Quick Answers to Your Top Questions



Back 

Caregiving

Close Menu

Basics

Care at Home

Medical

Financial & Legal

Life Balance

Local

LONG-TERM CARE

Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance



State Guides

Assistance and Services in Your Area



Prepare to Care Guides

How to Develop a Caregiving Plan



End of Life

How to Cope With Grief, Loss



Back 

Games

Close Menu

All

Recently Played

Word & Trivia

Rewards

Atari® & Retro

Mahjongg

Members Only

Staying Sharp

Solitare

Strategy

Arcade

Puzzles

Card

Juegos

Daily

Game Shows

More About Games

Right Again! Trivia



Right Again! Trivia – Sports



Atari® Video Games



Throwback Thursday Crossword



Back 

Travel

Close Menu

Travel Tips

Vacation Ideas

Destinations

Travel Benefits

MEMBERS ONLY

2025 destinations

Where to Vacation in 2025

MEMBERS ONLY


winter getaways

Budget-Friendly Destinations


MEMBERS ONLY

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Discover the Top Island to Visit

MEMBERS ONLY


AARP National Park Guide

Travel to Canyonlands in Utah


 1. Entertainment & Style
 2. Family & Relationships
 3. Personal Tech
 4. Home & Living
 5. Auto
 6. Staying Sharp
 7. Podcasts
 8. Videos

Back 

Entertainment & Style

Close Menu

Movies

TV

Music

Celebrities

Beauty & Style

Books

TV for Grownups

Winter TV Preview



Celebrities

Samuel L. Jackson Keeps Keeping On


MEMBERS ONLY

Looking Back

‘The Tonight Show’ Quiz

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Family & Relationships

Close Menu

Sex & Dating

Your Questions Answered



Grandparenting

Everything You Need to Know


MEMBERS ONLY

Pets

Your Guide to Happy, Healthy Pets

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Personal Tech

Close Menu

Home Technology

Caregiver’s Guide to Smart Home Tech



Get Happier

Creating Social Connections



Virtual Community Center

Join Free Tech Help Events



Back 

Home & Living

Close Menu

MEMBERS ONLY

Age in Place

What You Need to Know

MEMBERS ONLY

MEMBERS ONLY

Recipes

José Andrés’ Fall Favorites

MEMBERS ONLY

MEMBERS ONLY

Your Budget

Dollar Store Do’s and Don’ts

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Auto

Close Menu

Car Buying

Driver Safety

Maintenance & Safety

Trends & Technology

MEMBERS ONLY

AARP Smart Guide

How to Clean Your Car

MEMBERS ONLY


We Need To Talk

Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills



Driver Safety

AARP Smart Driver Course



Back 

Staying Sharp

Close Menu

Assessment

Challenges

Articles

Videos

Recipes

Building Resilience in Difficult Times



Tips for Finding Your Calm



Weight Loss After 50 Challenge



Back 

Podcasts

Close Menu

Cautionary Tales of Today's Biggest Scams



7 Top Podcasts for Armchair Travelers


MEMBERS ONLY

Jean Chatzky: ‘Closing the Savings Gap’

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Videos

Close Menu

Quick Digest of Today's Top News



AARP Top Tips for Navigating Life



Get Moving With Our Workout Series




Leaving AARP.org Website

You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by
AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Continue Cancel

LIMITED TIME OFFER!

¡OFERTA POR TIEMPO LIMITADO!

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

CYBER WEEK SALE

OFERTA DEL VIERNES NEGRO

OFERTA DE LA SEMANA CIBERNÉTICA

when you sign up for a 5 year term

cuando te inscribes por un período de 5 años

cuando te inscribes por un período de 5 años

Join AARP for just Renew AARP for just $9 per year with a 5-year membership

Únete a AARP Renueva con AARP por solo $9 al año con una membresía de 5 años

Join now and get a FREE GIFT Renew now and get a FREE GIFT

Únete hoy y recibe un REGALO Renueva hoy y recibe un REGALO

Join Únete Renew Renueva


Health


12 MISTAKES YOU MAKE AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE


A PHYSICIAN’S ADVICE FOR HOW TO MAKE YOUR VISIT GO WELL

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By

Stanley Sack, M.D.,

 
AARP

178 Comments
En español
Published December 08, 2023
/ Updated November 12, 2024
Getty Images
 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * LinkedIn

What is it like being a patient? That’s something I thought I would never need
to ask myself. After all, to become a primary care pediatrician, I went through
11 years of schooling, plus a lifetime of continuing education — both the
formal, required type and the learning that comes by doing, the stuff they don’t
tell you in school.



Even with all that training and three decades in medical practice, I felt
woefully unprepared when I began to visit the doctor’s office more often. I
realized how difficult it is to be the one seeking care rather than the one
giving it. In other words, being a patient is hard.

LAST CALL FOR LOW MEMBERSHIP RATES! LIMITED TIME OFFER

Black Friday Sale

Just $9 per year with a 5-year membership

Join now and get a FREE Gift!

Join
 

Renew

As someone who has had multiple physician visits over the years, writer and
patient advocate Jackie Duda stresses the importance of a good interaction with
your provider: “We, as patients, bear the onus of being able to communicate very
clearly with our doctors,” she says.  

5 THINGS TO BRING TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

 1. All insurance information
 2. A list of questions
 3. A list of your medications, vitamins and supplements
 4. Date and type of your recent vaccinations
 5. A summary of your visits with other health care providers
 6. A friend, relative or other advocate

A good doctor-patient encounter is not just a feel-good moment; it can prevent
mistakes. A busy physician often relies on learned rules of thumb or experiences
with past patients to make a diagnosis; communicating your situation effectively
can keep the doctor from relying too heavily on these and, therefore, prevent
errors.



A report by the Institute of Medicine found that explaining findings correctly,
promptly and in a way that’s easily understood by patients is also important in
avoiding mishaps. That’s a compelling reason to make the most of our office
visits. And knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. With
that in mind, here are some behaviors to avoid:




1. OVERESTIMATING TECHNICAL ABILITIES



Though I have never considered myself a rock star when it comes to all things
cyber, I was particularly dismayed at the difficulty I had the first time I
tried to sign up for a patient portal. Patient portals are increasingly common —
a recent national poll found that 3 in 4 adults ages 50 to 80 have used one —
but that doesn’t mean they are easy for all of us to use. Similarly, an
insurance website or even that check-in tablet can pose problems for those of us
who did not grow up with the technology. “Older people [may have] trouble with
technology. Get someone to help you,” Duda says.




2. TIMING ROUTINE VISITS WRONG



If you’re ill, you usually need to seek medical attention promptly. But if it’s
likely a routine problem, timing may be everything. My Medicare representative
pointed this out to me when I booked my physical. My scheduled appointment was
after Medicare’s open enrollment period closed. So if I needed new medications
that my Medicare Part D prescription plan didn’t cover, I couldn’t change plans
for another year. Based on her advice, I moved up my physical. Timing of routine
examinations also comes into play when you’re dealing with a health insurance
deductible for your visits. You may be better off booking at the end of a
calendar year, after you’ve met your deductible.  




3. COMING IN UNPREPARED



It’s essential to do your prep before the office visit. Jonathan Appelbaum, an
internist and professor of clinical sciences at Florida State University College
of Medicine, notes: “We wish that they would come in prepared as much as I come
in prepared to see them.” One suggestion offered by Michael Gloth, a
geriatrician and faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and Florida State
University: Relay your symptoms first, rather than presenting the diagnosis you
think you might have. It’s likely that presenting what’s actually happening will
be more helpful for your provider to make an accurate diagnosis than telling
your doctor what you think the problem is. Coming in with a written list of
symptoms is a great start. “Having it all written down ahead of time so that
everybody’s on the same page is helpful,” Gloth says.




LAST CALL FOR LOW MEMBERSHIP RATES! LIMITED TIME OFFER

Black Friday Sale

Just $9 per year with a 5-year membership

Join now and get a FREE Gift!

Join

Renew


ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT




4. KEEPING YOUR DOCTOR IN THE DARK ABOUT SEEING OTHER PROVIDERS



If you’ve seen other providers — say, a specialist or an urgent care physician —
don’t assume your doctor will have that information. “Patients think we know
everything — that we have all … right in front of us. That could not be further
from the truth. We don’t know who they’ve seen, what they’ve seen them for and
what was done,” Appelbaum says.



During my tenure in practice, I regularly had children come in for follow-ups on
serious illnesses treated at specialty hospitals — without the slightest bit of
information as to what was done or, in some cases, what the diagnosis was.
Insist on a summary, a diagnosis or at least a list of possibilities, from any
provider you see.

Members only


Shopping & Groceries

Plants by FTD

25%-30% off all plants

Members only




5. HIDING THE TRUTH



Providers have heard it all, and the office should be a judgment-free zone.
Talking to them about your sexual or drug history, for example, is never
off-limits and might be important for your health. Family stressors and domestic
violence are other topics to discuss. And those white lies about how much
alcohol you drink, what you are eating and how often you exercise can make a
difference in your health. A full 80 percent of patients intentionally withheld
the truth from their doctors about exercise, alcohol use, medication adherence
and diet, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. The reasons? Mainly
patients didn’t want to be judged or lectured or were embarrassed. Overcoming
any feelings of embarrassment to have honest discussions with your doctor has
many benefits: Doctors can more correctly interpret your symptoms and, when
medication is needed, prescribe something that is less likely to be harmful.




6. NOT KNOWING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY



We know a lot more than we used to about how diseases are inherited. It’s never
been more important to know details about illness in family members so you can
share them with your provider. In my case, a family history of glaucoma led my
optometrist to refer me to a specialist, who carefully follows me so I lessen my
chances of developing that problem. In addition to providing information vital
to diagnosis and treatment, family history helps put questions you might have
into context.




7. NOT BRINGING A LIST OF YOUR MEDICATIONS (INCLUDING DOSES)




Drugs can interact with each other, and mix-ups do occur. Research has shown
nearly half of adults ages 70 to 79 take at least five prescription drugs.
Medication errors lead to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year —
in part because doctors don’t have the full picture of patients’ medications.
Remember too that vitamins and supplements can interact with medications, so be
sure to include those in your list. “We don’t always know what you’re taking. Be
your own health record,” Appelbaum says. If your doctor isn’t asking about your
medications, “you need to say something,” Duda adds.




8. SEEING THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP AS A ONE-WAY STREET



Traditionally, conversations between doctors and patients tended to have a
“because I said so” ring to them. That’s no longer true. These days, there is
(ideally) more collaboration between the two parties. “I feel my doctors want to
understand what my situation and needs are,” Duda says. Your circumstances will
largely dictate the best approach to caring for yourself. Realize that you have
a say.




ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT




9. IGNORING THE ECONOMICS OF YOUR CARE



Get the most for your health care dollars. It’s important to ask how much things
will cost, what’s covered by insurance and what the alternatives are. “The type
of health care coverage that people have definitely has an impact on how likely
they are to contact a health care provider,” Gloth says. If some aspect of your
treatment isn’t affordable, let your provider know.




10. LEAVING WITHOUT WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS ON MEDICATIONS, WOUND CARE, RECOMMENDED
TREATMENTS




I fell into this trap after minor surgery. Woozy while coming off anesthesia, I
left without even thinking about post-op care. My spouse did have a sheet of
instructions, but they got lost after we returned home. Don’t let this happen to
you.




11. LEAVING WITHOUT YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED



Nothing is more frustrating than leaving the office having forgotten about the
one thing that you really wanted to ask your provider. Think about those
questions, write them down — and if something concerns you, bring it up early in
the visit. “Many times, in an older population, it’s not just a single issue,”
Gloth says. “There are many, many issues, and the challenge is to get all the
information upfront, rather than when they’re walking out the door.”




12. NOT USING OFFICE STAFF



If your doctor has to move on to the next patient — or if something comes up
while you’re home and the provider’s not available — the office nurse, medical
assistant or front-desk person may have handled something very similar on other
patients. Develop a good relationship with other members of your provider’s
team, and don’t hesitate to use them when needed.



Knowing how to communicate and work with your doctor isn’t easy, and it’s no
surprise that we all (myself included) are prone to making mistakes in our
interactions. If we strive to get better at avoiding the gaffes, that will go a
long way to improving our encounters — and, it follows, our health outcomes.



Editor's note: This article, first published December 8, 2023, has been updated
with new information.


%{postComment}%

Stanley Sack, M.D., spent 33 years practicing general pediatrics in
Massachusetts and Florida. He works as a freelance writer and editor from his
home in Key West, Florida. His articles have been featured in publications such
as Keys Weekly and Rural Health Quarterly.

Unlock Access to AARP Members Edition




Join AARP to Continue

Already a Member? Login

AARP NEWSLETTERS



Get the Your Health newsletter from AARP

Sign up for the latest health news, fitness and nutrition updates and more!

Subscribe
See All Newsletters

Privacy Policy

AARP NEWSLETTERS



Get the Your Health newsletter from AARP

Sign up for the latest health news, fitness and nutrition updates and more!

Subscribe
See All Newsletters

Privacy Policy



More on Health

What’s It Take to Get to 100?

Centenarians share their advice for others


Why Friends Are Good for Your Health and Well-Being

New research reinforces our need for companions



An Interview With Your Insides

We hear from the liver, stomach, bladder and more 


{ "maxItems":3, "itemsPerRow":"3", "rows":"4", "loadMore":"6", "adsNum":"0",
"resultsLength":"3" }


RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Members only

money

NEW LAWS ALLOW BANKS TO INTERVENE WHEN A CUSTOMER APPEARS TO BE A SCAM VICTIM

State lawmakers hope that allowing banks to temporarily pause suspicious
transactions can protect customers


Members only

health

6 WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE WITHOUT MEDICATION

Try these tactics to help fight hypertension and bring your numbers down


Members only

health

14 WAYS TO LOWER YOUR RISK FOR DEMENTIA

Two new risk factors have been added to a list of 12 previously known ones


Members only

health

EXERCISES FOR LOW-BACK PAIN

Improve mobility and ease the aches


Members only






ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT



{ "articlePagePath"
:"/content/aarpe/en/home/health/healthy-living/info-2023/doctors-office-mistakes",
"aarpId" : "75e9b53d2f29e61a090027d73ba364a9" "customContainerId" : "" "limit" :
"5" "paginationLimit" : "5" "replyLimit" : "2" "paginationReplyLimit" : "5"
"sort" : "" "featuredTabActiveThreshold" : "5" }



BENEFITS RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

See All

Members only
Home & Real Estate

Home Resource Center

Tips and resources for aging in place, decluttering, DIY projects and more


Members only
Gas & Auto Services

AARP Smart Driver™ Course

Members can take the course at a discounted rate


Members only
Travel

Vacations By Rail: Cruises

5% off more than 40 rail and cruise vacations


Members only
Travel

AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia

Exclusive deals on hotels, car rentals, cruises and more



See All

Members only


HOT DEALS

SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS

See All Hot Deals

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how
they live as they age.

About Us

Donate
Volunteer

Membership

AARP Rewards
Advertise with AARP
Contact Us
Careers at AARP
AARP Services Inc.

Policy & Research

Newsletters

AARP In Your City

AARP En Español

AARP樂齡會

Press Center

AARP Foundation

Wish of a Lifetime

Senior Planet | OATS

AgeTech Collaborative™

Legal Counsel for the Elderly

 * Sitemap
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Service
 * Accessibility Statement
 * AARP Rewards Terms & Conditions
 * Copyright Information
 * Vulnerability Disclosure Program
 * Ad Choices
 * Your Privacy Choices
 * Cobrowse

 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Instagram
 * LinkedIn





LIMITED TIME OFFER

¡OFERTA POR TIEMPO LIMITADO!

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

CYBER WEEK SALE

OFERTA DEL VIERNES NEGRO

OFERTA DE LA SEMANA CIBERNÉTICA

when you sign up for a 5 year term

cuando te inscribes por un período de 5 años

Join Únete Renew Renueva Sign Up Inscríbite
0