APPOINTMENT PREPARATION
Arrive with a short list—not a perfect story.
The goal is not to diagnose yourself. It is to help the licensed professional understand what matters, what has changed, and what you need to leave knowing.
- 01
Choose your top priorities.
Write the two or three outcomes that matter most for this visit. Examples: understand the evaluation plan, discuss a work limitation, review a change, or clarify follow-up.
- 02
Bring an accurate current list.
Follow the office’s instructions about medications, allergies, records, imaging, and forms. Do not stop or change medication because of this website.
- 03
Describe impact in plain language.
Specific daily tasks can be easier to discuss than broad labels. Note what has become harder, what you have stopped doing, and what you hope to regain.
- 04
Ask how the plan will be evaluated.
Clarify what happens next, when follow-up is expected, what results mean, and what should prompt an earlier call.
- 05
Leave with your own recap.
Before the visit ends, repeat the plan in your own words and ask for correction. Write down who is responsible for each next step.
BROWSER-ONLY TOOL
Appointment Question Builder
Select useful prompts, add your own, then print, copy, or download the list. Nothing is submitted to ArthritisFighters.com.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Daily life is part of the story.
Use the Daily Impact Snapshot to organize mobility, work, self-care, sleep, and participation without creating an account.
SOURCE DESK
Authoritative starting points
These organizations publish the original guidance used to shape this page. External resources may change; confirm current information directly with the source and your licensed care team.
- American College of Rheumatology — Prepare for a rheumatology appointment Patient preparation guidance from rheumatology professionals.
- AAOS OrthoInfo — Questions for your joint-replacement surgeon Discussion prompts for a surgeon and care team.