Monitoring & Treatment » Your Healthcare Team » Doctor Appointments

Doctor Appointments

A good relationship with your healthcare team - especially your primary physician - is essential to living well with diabetes. Together, you'll work out a self-management program that works for you. And when you need support, they'll be there.

When To See Your Doctor

Whether you're going in for a routine test or you're feeling ill, there are a variety of times throughout the year you may want to see members of your healthcare team.¹

These include:

•   Regular check-ups with your primary physician 2-4 times a year.

•   Annual check-ups with your eye doctor and dentist.

•   Any time you have the flu, a cold or a respiratory infection.

•   When you experience any significant change in how you feel or in your blood sugar test results.

•   Any time you experience discomfort in your feet, hands, or other extremities, or notice a change in your vision.

•   If you have any reaction to a new medication.

• Visits to specialists, as recommended by other members of your healthcare team.

For a complete list of recommended tests and visits, click here.

Before Your Visit

Take a few minutes to think about your doctor visit in advance. Print out our questions for doctors or fill out this appointment recorder to maximize the time you spend together.

•   How long will you be with the doctor? Just a few minutes, a half-hour, or longer?

•   When was your last visit with this doctor, as well as others on your healthcare team? What were the results of those visits?

• Do you feel the same or different since the last visit? Be sure to point out any symptoms such as vision changes, swelling in the legs and feet, chest pain, or other issues.

•   If your visit is due to illness, what are your symptoms? When did you start to notice them?

•   What are your recent blood glucose test results?

•   How have you been eating?

•   What about your routine is working for you, and what isn't?

• What other questions do you have? Are there any new advancements you want to know more about? Do you need any referrals?

Whatever the purpose of your visit, be sure to include your blood sugar test results for the past two weeks or a month. Your logbook or a computer printout will help guide your discussion. Be sure to point out any significant out-of-range values early in the visit, so your doctor can recommend changes to your self-care plan if needed.

In addition, you'll want to bring along:

• Any forms that the doctor must sign or authorize.

• A list of all medications and supplements you take - include prescriptions as well as daily vitamins and over-the-counter products.

• A family member or friend, if you need someone else to help you remember what the doctor has to say.

Take advantage of your waiting time to go over your notes and think about the visit.

• Prioritize the topics you want to discuss in order of importance, so you cover the most critical information during the time available.

• Think about what you want to get out of the visit.

• Make certain the office staff has your up-to-date insurance information and your current address and phone number on record.

During Your Visit

It's important that you clearly explain how you are feeling and what challenges you might be facing. Don't be afraid to express questions or concerns. And never feel embarrassed to bring up any subject with the doctor - even if you think something may not be significant, it's best to find out for sure.

•   Describe as specifically as possible how you feel and any symptoms you may be experiencing.

•   Be brief - doctors are usually on tight schedules, and you want time to cover everything.

•   Communicate what's working for you and what's not.

•   Don't hesitate to ask questions when you need greater explanation. It's your health - keep asking until you understand.

•   Take notes during your visit, so you won't have trouble remembering your doctor's recommendations later.

•   Review new instructions or recommended changes to your routine out loud with the doctor at the end of the visit, just to make sure you're on the same page.

•   Discuss any follow-up tests or physician referrals you may need.

• Find out when the doctor wants to see you next.

Back at Home

One of the most important parts of the visit is how you follow through afterward. Here are a few tips for making that easier:

•   If your doctor has recommended any changes to your self-management routine, make sure you have the supplies you need, including any new medications, testing materials, educational materials, foods, or other products.

•   Start making the changes right away, unless the doctor has directed otherwise.

•   Share the results of your visit with your care with family members, so they can help you implement any changes and provide support.

¹ "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes," American Diabetes Association Position Statement, Diabetes Care, Volume 28, Supplement 1, January 2005