7 useful suggestions for successful doctors' visits

Sometimes, a trip to the doctor can be quick and overwhelming. You can take some of the stress and confusion out of the equation by preparing for your visit in advance. Here's how.

Experts have found that doctors tend to interrupt patients just 20 to 30 seconds after they begin speaking during an office visit. But the truth is, bossy doctors are just one reason you may feel shortchanged when you leave your physician's office.

Your visit itself may feel way too short. In a study published in the British Medical Journal, Belgian researchers found that the typical office visit in:

• Germany and Spain lasted less than 8 minutes
• The United Kingdom and the Netherlands, around 10 minutes
• Belgium and Switzerland, about 15 minutes

Other researchers have found that American office visits last a relatively lengthy 20 minutes, but that's still barely enough time to discuss something as important as your health.

Meanwhile, we don't always use our time with the doctor to our best advantage. A Dutch study found that:

• Half of all visitors to the family doctor hadn't decided beforehand what they wanted to talk about.
• Seventy-seven percent did absolutely nothing to prepare for their visit.
• Eighty percent didn't bring a list of questions with them.

The lesson? Use your time with the doctor wisely.

Research your medical conditions and concerns by visiting reputable websites, including:

• Government health sites.
• Sites maintained by medical associations.
• Large non-profit groups dedicated to a single medical condition.
• University medical centres.

These sources have the most trustworthy, up-to-date medical information. Make notes and create questions. However, don't hand your doctor a huge printout and expect her to respond to them during your visit. Nor should you try to diagnose your symptoms or self-prescribe your remedies. It's still up to your doctor to do that.

Preparing and prioritizing questions can help you feel more confident when talking with your doctor — and you'll get the answers and info you need.

• The bonus: In one review of 33 office-visit studies, researchers found that people who brought checklists got even more time with their doctors.

Once you're in the exam room, don't be afraid to give your doctor the list. "I always ask to see it, so that I can be sure the important questions aren't left for the last minute of our visit," was what one physician who was among those studied by the researchers said. "It's okay to give your list to your doctor," he added.

In one study, older people who practiced their questions just before a doctor's appointment were nearly twice as likely to speak up during the visit than people who didn't rehearse.

• Ask your spouse, another relative, or a close friend to play doctor while you voice your health concerns, and ask every question on your list out loud.
• The best time to do it is in the hours just before your appointment.

Bringing along another person who knows about your health and your concerns can help you:

• Listen carefully.
• Take notes.
• Ask the right questions.
• Help you make important decisions .

Replaying audio of your visit could assist you in better understanding instructions and information that you may have missed or not fully understood at the time.

• Just let the doctor know you are recording for that purpose.

Get a canvas tote bag and designate it as your "medicine tote."

• Several times a year, toss in all your prescription drugs as well as herbal supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter remedies and bring it to your doctor's appointment.
• This will help your doctor understand if you're experiencing any problems with drug interactions or if you're taking any drugs you really don't need.

Looking out for yourself can help your healthcare practitioners look out for you as well.

• A little planning and preparation goes a long way to helping you make the most of your time with your doctor.