Preparing for an appointment

If this is your first time visiting a physician at the Cancer Institute, you will be asked to give us information about:

• your general health
• your previous diagnosis and treatments
• your health insurance card and/or information

We have prepared a general list of all of the things you should bring with you on your visit, to give your doctors the most complete picture of your current health.  This saves valuable time for both you and your oncologist.

Please bring with you:

1. Your referral, if your insurance indicates you need one.
2. Your medical chart from the doctor who referred you.  That chart should include any tests you have had.  Sometimes this information is forwarded from your doctor's office directly to the oncologist, but you may want to call a few days in advance of your appointment to make sure this is the case.
3. Any X-rays or studies related to the condition for which you are being examined. These are critical for our doctors to decide the next steps in your treatment. These can be films or on a CD.
4. Any medication you are taking.  It is most helpful to our staff if you bring the actual bottles. However, you can make a list of all the medications you are taking.  Make sure to include the name of the medication, including the generic substitution; and the number of milligrams and how many times a day you are directed to take it.  Also, include directions, such as “Take with food.”
5. Your health insurance identification card or other documentation of your health care insurance.
6. A list of important contacts, including emergency names and phone numbers our staff members can call.
7.  A list of questions you may have about your medical care, including your diagnosis and treatment.
8. A notebook and pen so you can write down important information. All our patients receive important health information during their visits, and you may want to keep everything in one place.
9. Something to read and a small snack, in case your appointment lasts longer than you expected.

We want to make sure all of your information is entered correctly into our files.  If you have all the information listed above, it will help insure your appointment runs smoothly.