PREPARE (From the Institute for Healthcare Communication, source)

Once you have decided who to seek help from, you will need to prepare for your appointment.

Plan:

Make a list of the main points you want to tell your doctor.

Make a list of what you want to learn from your doctor or health care provider.

Report:

During your visit, tell your doctor what you want to talk about.

Exchange Information:

Make sure you tell the doctor about what’s wrong. Printing out an online screening tool, or bringing a diary you may have been keeping can help. Make sure to describe the impact your symptoms or side effects are having on your day-to-day life. Sometimes it can help to bring someone along for support and to help describe your behaviour and symptoms if you’re unable to.

Participate:

Discuss with your doctor the different ways of handling your health problems. Make sure you understand the positive and negative features about each choice. Ask lots of questions.

Agree:

Be sure you and your doctor agree on a treatment plan you can live well with.

Repeat:

Tell your doctor what you think you will need to take care of the problem.

Evaluate:

Summarize the session from your point of view, and ask the doctor if they heard anything that they didn't understand or agree with.