What happens at your first family doctor appointment
5 min read
The first visit with a new family physician is not a checkup so much as an introduction. Its job is to build an accurate picture of your health so every visit after it is faster.
What the physician will ask
- Current and past medical conditions, surgeries and hospital stays
- Every medication, vitamin and supplement you take
- Allergies and past reactions
- Family history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and mental illness
- Smoking, alcohol, cannabis and other substance use
- Work, stress, sleep, exercise and diet
- When you were last screened — Pap test, mammogram, colon screening, bloodwork
What usually happens in the room
Expect blood pressure, height, weight and a focused physical exam. Depending on your age and history, the physician may order baseline bloodwork, update immunizations, or book a follow-up for anything that needs its own appointment.
A first visit rarely resolves everything. That is normal — the point is to set priorities and book the time to address them properly.
How to get the most out of it
Write your questions down in order of importance and hand the list over at the start. Physicians plan the visit around what matters most to you, but only if they know it early rather than at the door.
Bring your pharmacy's printed medication list. It is more accurate than memory and takes five minutes off the visit.
Be honest about the things that feel awkward — alcohol, mood, sexual health, missed medication. None of it is new to your physician, and treatment built on incomplete information does not work.
This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. For guidance about your own health, book a visit or call (519) 946-4954.