A Patient's cooperation is a must for a doctor to write a correct prescription and advise investigations.

 If you present your problem in a systematic manner, you increase our efficiency multiple times and reduce the chances of error significantly. 

Clinical history narrated by the patients is extremely important. In most diseases history alone is sufficient to reach an accurate diagnosis. 

So before visiting your doctor make a list of your symptoms. Keep the symptoms that are recent and bothering you a lot on the top of your list. 

Symptom’s description should contain the following points---

1. Time of onset and progression –When and how the symptoms have started? 

2.Is it progressing, stable, or getting better?

3. How bad are your symptoms? Is it mild, moderate, or severe?  Severe symptoms  affect your daily activities for example work, sleep, exercise, etc whereas with mild symptoms you can function normally. Symptoms can be intermittent or persistent.

4. Please mention any co-morbidity that you have for example diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid disorders, previous surgery, or any genetic disorder.

5. Family history—This includes any significant diseases in the blood relatives for example thalassemia etc.

6. Drug history—Carry a list of medications that you are taking on a regular basis for example BP medicines, Heart medicines, sugar medicines, blood thinners, etc.

7. History of severe allergies to food, drugs, preservatives, and the environment (for example dust).

8. Carry your old medical records and routine blood test reports. As your doctor might need it.

9. The main purpose of your follow-up consultation is to assess your response to the treatment.  you need to have a good recall of your symptoms before and after starting the medications. So that doctor could assess improvement, deterioration, or no response to the treatment prescribed.

10. Please discuss Any major or minor side effects due to the prescription medication on your follow-up consultation and Any new complaints that have come up during this period.

11. If your doctor has confirmed the diagnosis. Kindly discuss the following points—

1. Nature and prognosis of the disease.

2. Is it curable?

3. What is the Treatment Plan?

4. how long shall I take the medicines? 

5. will it deteriorate in spite of taking the medicines?

6. Do I need to visit a super specialist in the higher center?(In case of unconfirmed diagnosis)

13.The patient has the right to know about his disease, treatment plan, medications-their effects, side effects, and risks involve especially in a surgical procedure .And last but not least is please read any documents carefully before signing them. 

Have a safe visit. Take care