Going to the doctor for the first time on your own can be stressful. You may feel anxiety, concern, or fear. A little preparation can help build confidence and ensure your appointment goes well.

In the United States’ health care system, you can spend weeks or months anticipating a doctor‘s appointment, plus a few minutes or hours in the waiting room when the day comes. In contrast, your ...

Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation. Even the professionals plan ahead.

Important paperwork to take to a doctor’s appointment includes insurance cards, medical records, and a list of current medications. However, the necessary paperwork may vary depending on the ...

Knowing where to go for medical attention can be confusing. This guide explains when to visit the emergency room (ER), urgent care clinic, or primary care health center. When someone has an accident ...

Haupt is a health and wellness editor at TIME. Haupt is a health and wellness editor at TIME. Primary care doctors have heard it all—yet there are four words they hope their patients don’t say. Here’s ...

A doctor’s appointment is a private event. Would you be willing to have your mother-in-law go with you to a doctor’s appointment, or would that cross the line? This woman was pregnant for the first ...

At her first prenatal appointment for her first pregnancy, Shana Westlake of Beacon, New York, remembers entering her OB-GYN's office full of anxiety. "They took my blood pressure, and it was ...

Why does my doctor's appointment feel so rushed? Are there enough doctors? What are the incentives that drive doctors to see a lot of patients? Who is to blame?

Taking time to prepare for your doctor’s appointment can help ensure you make the most of your time and cover everything important to you. This can include writing down your questions beforehand and ...