Patient Tips: Healthcare Provider Appointments for Long COVID

List Your Healthcare Providers

• Prepare a list of your current and past healthcare providers and your current and past medical conditions, especially if you are seeing a new healthcare provider.

Write Down Your History

• Prepare a brief history that summarizes your experience with COVID-19 and post-COVID conditions. For example, write down a list of the symptoms you think started after your COVID-19 infection, and include this information:
  • The date your original COVID-19 illness started and/or you got a positive COVID-19 test, if known
  • When your Long COVID symptoms started
  • A list of prior treatments and diagnostic tests related to your Long COVID symptoms (blood work, x-rays, etc.)
  • What makes your symptoms worse
  • How the symptoms affect your activities, including challenges that affect daily living, working, attending school, etc.
  • How often symptoms occur
  • How you have been feeling
  • A description of some of your best and worst days

Select your most important issues (sometimes referred to as “chief complaints”) and write them down.

List Your Medications

• Prepare a list of medications and supplements you are taking, including dose and frequency. Most healthcare providers will ask you to provide this information at each appointment. Bringing your list or the medication containers with you will help keep track.

Talk with a Family Member or Friend

• Consider discussing your appointment with a trusted family member or friend immediately before and after you see your healthcare provider. This person can help you take notes and remember what was discussed at the appointment while it’s still fresh in your mind. If your healthcare provider’s office policy allows it, consider bringing them to your appointment with you.

What to Expect

The provider you meet with could be a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other type of healthcare professional. It may take more than one appointment to evaluate potential Long COVID symptoms and determine a helpful diagnosis to better manage and treat your symptoms. Your provider may ask questions about your medical history, current symptoms, and quality of life. Depending on your symptoms, they may run or order tests to determine a diagnosis and plan for treatment.

Healthcare providers are still learning about Long COVID. CDC continues to work to determine how common these long-term effects are, who is most likely to get them, how long the symptoms typically last, and whether symptoms eventually go away.

During Your Appointment

Bring Your List of Concerns

• Since appointment time is often limited, it will help to make a list of why you are coming in for an appointment. Start with your most concerning issues (sometimes called “chief complaints”).
• Focus on talking to your provider because this can be the most valuable part of the visit.

Ask & Answer Questions

• Ask questions, starting with the most important ones. Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider to explain their answers if they are not clear to you.
• Be prepared to discuss your activity levels, what activities make your illness worse, and any medications that seem to make your symptoms better or worse.
• Answer the provider’s questions. Explain how you feel. Be straightforward, and don’t be embarrassed to talk about anything.
• Let your provider know if there have been any changes to your prescribed medications and supplements.

Know Your Next Steps

• Make sure you understand the next steps. Use a notebook or your phone to take notes and write down instructions. Repeat back what the provider has told you to check for understanding. (For example, you might ask: “So, I should go to the lab next week with this paperwork to get my blood drawn?”). Other questions could include:
  • Will I need more tests?
  • When and how will I get test results?
  • When should I return for another visit?

Ask for a Summary

• Ask for an appointment summary. You can also ask the provider to write down any instructions, medication names, etc., for you. If there are changes to your treatment plan, make sure you understand what to do. For new medication, ask why it is being given and what you should expect by taking this new medication.

After Your Appointment

Track Your Appointments

• Make appointments for follow up and any additional testing.
• Record future appointments on your calendar. Ask a friend or family member to put the appointment(s) on their calendars as well. Ask the provider’s office if they will call or email you with an appointment reminder.

Work with Your Healthcare Provider

• If you are confused or don’t remember something your provider said, call the provider’s office for clarification.
• Follow your provider’s instructions as closely as you can.

Document Your Experiences

• Continue to record symptoms in a journal, if possible. Some people with Long COVID find it helpful to include:
  • whether symptoms have improved
  • which treatments have improved symptoms
  • any side effects
  • any other new symptoms or changes
• Make a note to give your healthcare provider feedback about how recommended treatments have worked for you.
• Write down any issues you did not have time to talk about at the last appointment.
• Keep track of medications, vitamins, herbs, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you take, using a current medications and supplements list.
• Remind your provider to share any test results if you don’t get them within the expected timeframe.

Review the Healthcare Appointment Checklist

• This resource has a helpful symptom checklist and other tools: Solve-Summer-2023-Digital-Resources-Chronicle.pdf (solvecfs.org)
• Consider reviewing the Healthcare Appointment Checklist for Post-COVID Conditions before your next appointment (Español [PDF – 72 KB]). Many instructions apply to follow-up appointments.