Even healthcare providers with wonderful bedside manners may be too pressed for time to ask their patients in detail about their personal lives. And if you’re visiting a doctor for the first time, how can he or she know that you’ve got white coat syndrome, or a fear of needles?

Patients, by sharing a little bit of personal information about yourself with your healthcare provider, you can take a proactive step towards helping to improve your experience as a patient. Healthcare providers are in the business of helping people. Help them to help you by giving them a little insight into who you are - and what you need.

Busy healthcare professionals, you can benefit from insight into a patient, including learning a bit more about his or her personality and lifestyle, which may affect care decisions.

Our free Help Your Doctor Know You^SM worksheets were designed to help patients share one condensed and easily digestible page of non-medical, voluntary personal information with busy healthcare providers. Help Your Doctor Know Your Child^SM, Help Your Doctor Know Your Aging Parent^SM and Other Doctors worksheets also available.