How to take notes at a doctor's appointment
The short answer: bring a notebook and pen (or use your phone), write your questions down first, and during the visit jot keywords under a few headings: what's going on, tests, treatment, and what you need to do. Ask a friend or family member to take notes if you can't. Read your notes back to your doctor before you leave.
Why notes help
A widely cited review found that 40% to 80% of medical information is forgotten immediately, and that almost half of what people do remember is wrong.1 The same review reports that written information is better remembered.1 MedlinePlus agrees that putting things on paper helps you hold on to the details.3
You don't need to write everything. You need to catch the few things you'll have to act on.
Before the visit: set up your page
1. Write your questions first, most important at the top
Write down your questions and any details about your symptoms before you go. You can keep them in a notebook, in your phone, or in an email to your provider.3 Bring a written list of your concerns, put the most important first, and share it at the start of the visit. If the clinic has a patient portal, you may be able to send it ahead.2
2. Leave space under four headings
People remember more when information is grouped into clear categories. The review describes five: what is wrong, tests to be done, what to expect, the treatment needed, and what you can do to help yourself.1 A simpler version for a notebook page:
- What's going on: what the doctor thinks is happening.
- Tests: what's ordered, and how and when you'll hear results.
- Treatment: medicines and other treatments, as the doctor describes them.
- What I need to do: follow-ups, referrals, and when to call the office.
During the visit: what to write
3. Write keywords, not sentences
You can write down what the doctor tells you during the visit.4 Don't try to keep up word for word. Write names of conditions, tests and medicines, numbers, and dates. If you don't know how a word is spelled, ask. Put a star next to anything you must do.
4. Ask for help if you can't write and listen at once
Bring a friend or family member who can listen, write things down and ask questions for you.4 You can also ask your doctor to write down key points for you.4 Tell the person beforehand what you most want to get out of the visit.
5. Consider recording, but ask first
You can ask to record the appointment if your doctor agrees,4 and MedlinePlus advises telling your provider that you are keeping a record of the discussion.2 Laws on recording differ by state, so always ask before you start. This page is general information, not legal advice.
6. Check your notes before you leave
Keep asking until you're sure you understand.3 If something is unclear, ask the doctor to explain it in more detail.4 Then read your four headings back and ask whether you have them right. It takes a minute and catches mistakes while you're still in the room.
After the visit: tidy up the same day
7. Review your notes and fill in the gaps
Read back through what the doctor told you, ideally with whoever came with you, and note any new questions.2 Write out anything you only jotted as a keyword while you remember it. Stick to the plan you were given, keep any follow-up visits, and keep tracking your symptoms and medicines.3 If you still have questions, contact the office. Don't change or stop a prescribed medicine without checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Common questions
What should I write down at a doctor's appointment?
Write down your diagnosis or what the doctor thinks is going on, any tests, any treatment or medicines, and what you need to do next.1 Add the date and any follow-up appointments.
Can I ask my doctor to write things down for me?
Yes. Doctors can write down key points for you, and you can ask if it's okay to record the visit.4 Ask first, because laws and clinic policies differ.
What if I can't keep up with the notes?
Write only keywords during the visit and fill in the rest right afterward. Or ask a family member or friend to take notes while you focus on the conversation.4
Sources
- Kessels RPC. Patients' memory for medical information. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2003;96(5):219–222.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Caregiving – taking your loved one to the doctor. Reviewed April 2026.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Make the most of your doctor visit. Reviewed September 2024.
- American Academy of Family Physicians (familydoctor.org). Getting the most out of your doctor appointment. Updated October 2025.
This guide is general information and isn't medical or legal advice. Always follow the advice of your own doctor or care team. If you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911.