Ask the Expert: 6 must-ask questions for your next primary care doctor's office visit

Kendra Hall-Franks
·3 min read

You’ve found a primary care doctor. Great! But now what? Good health involves a partnership between you and your doctor, and it is important that you take an active role. Here are 6 questions to consider asking during your next primary care visit.

1. What wellness tests should I have?

Primary care doctors treat existing illnesses as well as guide you on how to live a healthier life. One of their main goals is to help you reduce your chances of ever developing a health problem.

Depending upon your family history, past medical problems, and previous medical tests, your primary care doctor may recommend tests that monitor your:

  • Fasting blood sugar

  • Cholesterol

  • Liver function

  • Blood pressure

  • Kidney function

If you are at a particular risk for a disease, especially if it runs in your family, your primary care doctor can help you take steps to reduce the chances of getting it. If you find that lifestyle changes alone do not improve your risk factors, your primary care doctor may discuss medication options that might be right for you.

2. What is the best exercise plan for me?

It is important to know what the best exercise plan is for your specific health needs. Your primary care doctor will be able to advise you on an exercise routine that will be most beneficial. This is especially important if you have health problems or a previous injury.

Your primary care doctor loves when you are interested in exercise, but they want to ensure you are doing it safely.

Remember, you don’t have to become an athlete overnight. Often, even moderate amounts of exercise can go a long way toward fighting diseases such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

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3. Should I be taking any supplements?

When you reach for that bottle of vitamin C or fish oil pills, you might wonder how well they work and if they are safe. Ask your primary care doctor whether you need them in the first place.

Supplements should never take priority over whole, nutrient-dense foods, but supplements can help fill in nutritional gaps in your diet. Your primary care doctor may be able to recommend supplements based on your medical history and blood work.

4. How does my family history affect my health?

Collect your family health history information before visiting your primary care doctor. Even if you don’t know all your family health history information, share what you do know. Family health history information, even if incomplete, can help your doctor decide which screening tests you need and when those tests should start.

If you have a close family member with a chronic disease, you are much more likely to develop it yourself. You can’t change your genes, but you can change unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, inactivity, and poor eating habits.

5. Can I get a copy of my records?

Reviewing your medical records allows you to update any information that may be vital to your care. HIPAA gives you the right to access your medical and billing records. Most primary care doctors provide you with access to your records electronically, if not, you will need to take the steps to request copies for yourself.

6. When am I supposed to see my doctor next?

Achieving and maintaining good health is a lifelong pursuit. Seeing your primary care physician regularly is important to your success. Be sure you understand when your primary care doctor wants to see you again, as well as any instructions that you are to follow. When in doubt, ask! Together, you and your primary care physician can work towards your health goals.

Kendra Hall-Franks, D.O., is a primary care physician at the IU Health Ball Memorial Outpatient Center – Yorktown. Learn more at https://iuhealth.org/find-medical-services/primary-care.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ask the Expert: 6 must-ask questions for your next doctor's visit