In the traditional healthcare model, a primary care visit can often feel like a race. Between
checking in at a front desk and waiting in a secondary exam room, the actual time spent with a
physician can feel fragmented.
At Aristos Internal Medicine, we have redesigned the experience to be different. Our goal is to
partner with you for optimal health, but the success of that partnership depends on how we use
our time together. By preparing effectively, you can ensure that your visit is focused, productive,
and centered on what matters most to you.
The Value of Focus: Why Preparation is Key
Even in a personalized practice, clinical time is a valuable resource. Without preparation, it’s
easy for the most important issues to get lost in the shuffle or for focus to be diverted toward
routine data gathering that could have been handled beforehand.
Think of your appointment as a high-level collaborative meeting. The more prepared you are,
the more we can move past the “basics” and dive into deep clinical reasoning, problem-solving,
and long-term health planning.
Pre-Visit Strategy: The “Big Three”
To maximize the impact of your visit, we recommend focusing on these three areas before you
arrive:
- The Priority List: Focus on What Matters It’s common to have a variety of health questions, but addressing too many topics at once can dilute the quality of care for each one. Before your appointment, write down everything on your mind, then identify your top priorities.
○ Why this matters: Starting with your most pressing concerns ensures they receive the thorough attention they deserve. If a major concern is brought up at the very end of a visit, there may not be enough time to give it the deep dive it requires.
- The Medication Map: Bring an Accurate List Please have an updated list of
everything you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, vitamins, and
supplements. Be sure to include dosages and how often you take them.
○ Why this matters: Accuracy is critical for your safety. Seeing the full picture helps
us identify potential interactions, adjust dosages accurately, and ensures your
medical record reflects your actual daily routine. - The Defined Goal: What Does Success Look Like? Take a moment to consider your
ideal outcome. Are you looking for a diagnosis for a new symptom? Are you seeking a
long-term strategy for a chronic issue? Or do you simply need a clearer understanding of
your current labs?
○ Why this matters: Sharing your goal at the start of the visit helps us direct the
conversation efficiently.
Leveraging Technology: Our Pre-Visit Questionnaires
At Aristos Internal Medicine, we use technology to protect our face-to-face time. Before your
appointment, you will receive digital questionnaires.
How it helps: By providing your history and symptoms through the patient portal, that
data pre-populates your chart. This allows me to review your information before I walk
into the room. Instead of spending our time together with me looking at a screen and
typing in basic data, we can spend that time in a conversation, looking at the “why”
behind your health.
During the Visit: Being an Active Partner
Once the visit begins, remember that you are an active member of the clinical team:
- Ask Clarifying Questions: “What is the goal of this new medication?” or “When should I expect to see an improvement?”
- Share the “Small” Details: Sometimes the most important diagnostic clue is a detail that feels embarrassing or trivial. Honest communication is the foundation of a good diagnosis.
Conclusion: Better Preparation, Better Results
Getting the most out of your primary care visit isn’t about rushing—it’s about being intentional.
By prioritizing your concerns and utilizing our digital tools before you arrive, you help us keep
the focus where it belongs: on you.
