Many people are more satisfied with their health care if they share the responsibility with their health professionals. Your health professional is an expert on medical care, but you are the expert on yourself. Often there is more than one option for diagnosing or treating a condition. By partnering with your health professional, you can help choose the option that best fits your values, beliefs, and lifestyle. You also will feel more confident about carrying out the chosen treatment.

Here are some tips for being a good partner with your health professional:

• Build a relationship with your health professional. Let your health professional know that you want to be a partner in your health care. Tell the health professional what your expectations are.
• Be an active participant in each appointment. Listen carefully to what your health professional says. If you do not understand a diagnosis or treatment, ask questions. Tell the health professional if you do not think that you can carry out the prescribed treatment.
• Prepare your child for tests and examinations. Let your child know why he or she is seeing a health professional and what will be done during the visit. Your child's age and developmental level will determine how best to prepare him or her.
• Share in every decision about your health. For more information, see the topic Smart Decisions: Know Your Options.

What is the reason for your appointment?

During your appointment, you will need to answer some important questions so that you and your health professional can plan your care together. Completing the appropriate forms before the appointment helps you provide accurate and complete information, take an active role in your health care decisions, and make the most of your limited appointment time.

Choose the form that best describes your reason for seeing the health professional.

Do you take medications?

If you take prescription or nonprescription medications, including herbal remedies, bring all your medications with you to any appointment with a health professional. Otherwise, bring a list of the medications you take.

What other forms might be helpful?

If you and your health professional are going to discuss a new medication, medical test, surgery, or special treatment, take the appropriate form from the following list with you to your visit. Completing the form will help you understand the importance of the treatment your health professional is recommending for your health condition. If you do not have the form at the time of your visit, complete the form at home after the visit.

• New medication information
• Medical test information
• Surgical information
• Special treatment information

What do you need to do after the appointment?

Update the medical records that you keep at home. For more information, see the topic Home Medical Records.