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What to Bring to Your Appointment

What to Bring to Your Appointment

A short amount of preparation makes an appointment for anorectal symptoms noticeably more efficient — and reduces the chance that something important gets forgotten in the moment.

Key takeaways
  • A few written notes cover most of what a clinician needs — you don’t need to prepare an elaborate presentation.
  • Bringing a medication list and any relevant family history is often more useful than people expect.
  • It’s fine to bring notes and read from them directly during the visit.

A simple checklist

  • A brief symptom summary — what you’re noticing, when it started, and what makes it better or worse (see How to talk to a doctor about anal symptoms for a template)
  • A current medication list, including over-the-counter products and supplements — some of these can contribute to symptoms (see Medications that contribute)
  • Relevant family history — specifically, any family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, including who was affected and at what age if known
  • Photos, if you’ve taken any to track a symptom over time (see Should you photograph it?)
  • Results or records from a previous visit, if this is a follow-up or second opinion
  • Specific questions you want answered before you leave

A note-taking approach that works well

Write four short lines before your visit:

  1. What you’re noticing
  2. How long it’s been going on
  3. What makes it better or worse
  4. Anything else relevant (bowel habit changes, weight, energy, family history)

Reading directly from these notes during the visit is completely normal — it’s not a sign of being unprepared, it’s a sign of being organized, and it ensures nothing important gets lost in the moment.

Practical items worth having

  • Your insurance card and ID, if this is a new provider
  • A list of any known allergies, particularly to medications
  • Comfortable clothing that’s easy to change out of, since a physical exam is likely

If you’re nervous and worried you’ll forget everything

This is exactly what the written notes are for — you don’t need to remember everything in the moment if it’s already written down. It’s also completely fine to ask the clinician to summarize the plan at the end of the visit, or to write down what they’ve told you, if you’re worried about retaining it afterward.

Want the fuller picture of what the visit itself involves? See What happens at the doctor’s appointment.

This page is for general education.