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How to prepare for your consultation: reports, medicines and a symptom diary
A short checklist for patients: which documents to bring, how to list your medicines, and how a one- or two-week symptom diary makes the case history more complete.
23 September 2026 · 1 min read
A consultation is only as complete as the information behind it. A little preparation at home makes the case history more accurate and leaves more of the appointment for discussion.
Gather your documents
Previous prescriptions from any doctor Blood tests, scans and other reports, in date order if possible Hospital discharge summaries Any written diagnosis from a specialist
List every medicine you take
Include prescribed medicines, over-the-counter products, supplements and any other remedies, with the dose and how long you have taken each. Photographs of the labels work well.
Keep a short symptom diary
For one or two weeks before the visit, note the following. It does not need to be detailed; a line a day is enough.
When the symptom appears and how long it lasts What seems to make it better or worse: food, weather, time of day, rest, activity or stress Sleep, appetite and energy Anything that changed around the time the complaint began
Write down your questions
It is easy to forget a question during the appointment. Write them down in advance, most important first, and bring the list.
For online consultations
Send clear photographs or scans of reports before the call where possible, and find a quiet place with a stable connection. For skin complaints, photographs taken in daylight are more useful than those taken under artificial light.
Once you are ready, book your consultation .
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