Get ready for a doctor visit with a short list of questions

Appointments go by fast, and it's easy to forget a symptom or think of your best question after you've already left.

How to do it

In a chatbot like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, describe what you've noticed in your own words: when it started, how often it happens and what makes it better or worse.
Add general context that helps, like your age, existing conditions and the medicines you take, but leave out your name, address, insurance details and screenshots of records.
Ask it to turn your notes into a short summary for your doctor and a few questions to ask, in plain English.
Put your top concerns first, print or save the list, and bring it to the visit.
Treat anything the chatbot says as something to ask about, not a diagnosis, and confirm it with your doctor.
AARP and Kettering Health both suggest using AI this way, to become a better-prepared patient rather than your own doctor.