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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffAfter you make an appointment with family doctor, general practitioner or pediatrician, it's a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
- Write down information about your fever, such as when it started, how and where you measured it (orally or rectally, for example) and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. Note whether you've been around anyone who's been ill.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses, recent life changes or recent travel out of the country.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you or your child is taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important. For fever, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing the fever?
- What else could be causing it?
- What kinds of tests are needed?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- Should I take medicine to lower my or my child's fever?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing for me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Be prepared to answer questions your doctor is likely to ask you, including:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have you taken any medication to lower your fever?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Manifestations of infection. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec14/ch167/ch167d.html. Accessed April 13, 2009.
- Fever. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec19/ch266/ch266i.html. Accessed April 13, 2009.
- Torpy J. Fever in infants. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004;291:1284.
- Fever. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/fever/healthprofessional. Accessed April 13, 2009.
- Febrile seizures fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/febrile_seizures/detail_febrile_seizures.htm. Accessed April 13, 2009.
- Richardson M, et al. Assessment and initial management of feverish illness in children younger than 5 years: Summary of NICE guidance. British Medical Journal. 2007;334:1163.
- O'Grady N, et al. Guidelines for evaluation of new fever in critically ill adult patients: 2008 update from the American College of Critical Care Medicine and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Critical Care Medicine, 2008;36:1330.
- El-Radhi A. Why is the evidence not affecting the practice of fever management? Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2009;93:918.
- Leggett J. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23nd ed. W. B. Saunders Company, 2007.
