Never Do This at the Doctor's Office

By Maria W. • Jun 28, 2024

4 Critical Mistakes You're Making at the Doctor's Office

Most people stop into their doctor's office at least once or twice a year, yet so many people make the same mistakes at their appointments! For your health and happiness, plus out of consideration for your doctor's office, it's best to avoid these common mistakes.

Forgetting Common Courtesy and Etiquette

We're sorry if this comes as a shock, but you are not the only patient your doctor sees. In fact, you are just one of many people — hundreds, probably — under your doctor's care.

It may seem like common sense, but many people often forget their manners upon entering the waiting room. Following these simple guidelines at your next appointment can help make everyone's lives a little easier:

Cancelations: If you must cancel or reschedule an appointment, make sure to do so as soon as possible. Don't wait until the last minute; your doctor and their staff are busy and won't appreciate having their time wasted. Additionally, make sure to follow your doctor's cancellation policies accordingly.
Phone Etiquette: Don't make or take any phone calls in the waiting room; instead, head outside if you need to chat on the phone. The same is true for when you are in the exam room, except if you need a trusted person on speakerphone for support and advocacy.
Privacy: Don't ask about other patients and don't stare or gawk at others. This is a good rule in general, no matter where you may be. Additionally, medical staff are legally forbidden from revealing anything about other patients, so they can't answer your questions anyway.
Respect: Don't behave condescendingly towards the other medical staff; they are trained professionals and deserve the same respect you offer your doctor.

Lying to Medical Staff

We get it. We've all done things we're embarrassed about. Sometimes we worry we've made choices that might leave our doctors disappointed. Sometimes we don't want to talk about our symptoms because we're nervous or uncomfortable about sharing. We might even be under the impression that it won't hurt to fudge the truth, just a little, bit, to spare ourselves some discomfort.

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Wrong. Very wrong. You need to be completely honest with medical staff when answering their questions or describing any symptoms you might be experiencing. This includes being honest about behaviors such as eating, sexual activity, or drug use and about symptoms that might otherwise embarrass you. Remember, these people are professionals; they've heard it all before (and worse). More importantly, they can't provide you with the best care if they don't know the full truth.

Not Knowing Your Symptoms and Medications

The more information you can give about any symptoms you're experiencing and any medications you're taking, the better your doctor and their staff can treat you. Unfortunately, very few people are actually prepared to describe their symptoms or provide detailed information when asked.

doctor conversation

Before going to your doctor's appointment, take notes about any worriesome or unusual symptoms you are experiencing (something seemingly trivial could be a sign of a larger problem). Write down what happens, what it feels like, how frequently it happens, and for how long the symptoms have been going on. This will help prepare you to answer your doctor's questions, or at least give you somewhere to start.

Also, make sure you know your medications, including dosage and frequency; knowing this information ahead of time likewise ensures you receive the best care possible.

Assuming Your Doctor Is Aware of Other Visits

For example, if you visited a dermatologist recently, your doctor may not be aware of that visit, let alone what you discussed with the dermatologist or what the dermatologist recommended.

Notes from other appointments might be in your chart, but your doctor may not think to review them unless prompted and even then, those appointments could be missing from your chart altogether. Make sure you record any visits with specialists you've had since your last appointment, including details about what you discussed, plus any tests you underwent and the subsequent results.

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