1 Prioritize Concerns and Make a List Your doctor’s visit may be short – sometimes, doctors only see patients for a few minutes. So before you head to your appointment, make a prioritized list of the items you want to cover. This will help you efficiently navigate your appointment, even if your visit is brief.

2 Practice Makes Perfect It can be difficult to speak about your condition and your feelings. If you’ve got something you’d like to bring up with your doctor… practice! Practice your questions or comments out loud to a mirror. This can make it easier to speak up when the time comes.

3 Bring a Friend If you’d like, consider bringing a friend or caregiver to your appointment. They can take notes for you, help you remember information, or just provide moral support.

4 Speak Up During your visit, remember that you can (and should) make an impact in your treatment path. By speaking up when you have a question or concern, your doctor will recognize that you’re taking an active role in your health.

5 Get a Recap At the end of your visit, take a moment to get a recap from your doctor. Quickly review what you went over during your visit and what steps you need to take next. This can help you close your appointment in a way that feels positive and empowering.