In One Ear, Out the Other: Doctor’s Visit Edition

We live in a world where healthcare has become a conveyor belt — one patient in, one patient out. You sit on the crinkly paper, list your symptoms, the doctor nods, writes a prescription, and you’re ushered out with barely enough time to blink.

It feels transactional , like a pump and dump visit — rather than transformational,

but what if it didn’t have to be that way?

What if you could turn your 15 minutes into an empowered, intentional moment of real healthcare, not just sick care?

Here’s how to avoid a doctor’s appointment becoming just another in-one-ear-out-the-other experience:

1. Prep Like It’s a Business Meeting

Before you even set foot in the doctor’s office, prepare. Write down:

• Your top 3 concerns

• Symptom history (when it started, how it feels, what makes it better or worse)

• Any medications or supplements you're taking

• Lifestyle changes, stresses, or recent shifts in your routine

Think about what you want out of the appointment ,clarity, tests, referrals, next steps. Walk in with a focused agenda so you lead the conversation.

2. Speak in Bullet Points, Not Novels

Doctors are trained to diagnose efficiently. Long, winding stories can cause them to tune out or rush you.

Instead:

• Stick to the facts.

• Be clear and concise.

• Start with your most serious concern.

Example:

“I’ve had sharp headaches for three weeks, mostly on the right side, worse at night, nothing over-the-counter is helping.”

Direct. Focused. Unignorable.

3. Ask Questions Out Loud

Many people freeze under the fluorescent lights, intimidated by the white coat. Don't.

Write these down and read them if you have to:

• What do you think is the root cause of this?

• What are all my options, not just prescriptions?

• Are there lifestyle changes that could help?

• When should I follow up or worry about this?

A good doctor welcomes your questions. If they don’t, that’s information, too.

4. Repeat Back What You Hear

Before you leave, paraphrase what the doctor said:

“Just to make sure I understand, you’re suggesting I try X for the next 30 days and come back if there’s no improvement?”

This does two things:

• Forces clarity (on both sides)

• Creates a record in your mind so it doesn’t just evaporate on the drive home

5. Request a Written Summary

Some practices already give you an “After Visit Summary” if they don’t, ask.

Better yet, bring a notebook or use a notes app on your phone and jot down key points in real time.

Trust me, you won’t remember everything.

6. Advocate for Holistic Care

Not all doctors are trained in holistic or functional medicine, but you are your best advocate.

You can respectfully say:

“I’m really looking to understand this from a whole-body perspective, nutrition, stress, environment. Can we talk about those factors too?”

Even if your doctor doesn’t specialize in it, planting the seed changes the tone of the visit and what you expect from your healthcare.

7. Know When It’s Time to Walk Away

If every visit feels like a checkbox, if you leave confused or dismissed, or if your concerns are minimized it’s not you. It’s the system or the provider.

It’s okay to seek a second opinion.It’s okay to find a doctor who sees you as a whole human being and not just a 15-minute timeslot.

Your health deserves more than a pump and dump.

Final Thoughts:

In a fast-food world of healthcare, being intentional is your secret weapon.

Walk into your appointments prepared. Speak up. Ask questions. Take notes. Hold them and yourself to a higher standard.

Because your health is too precious to go in one ear and out the other.