This section helps you get ready for medical visits and make sense of the health information you read. You do not need to know all the medical vocabulary before a visit. Start with what has changed, what matters to you, and what you want to understand.
What this section covers
This section has two guides. One covers getting ready for a visit. The other covers judging the health information you find. Use them to organize your thoughts and read health information with more confidence. Pick the section below that fits where you are today. Med-Help guides give general information. They do not diagnose anything or replace a talk with a health professional.
Before a visit
MedlinePlus says to “jot down your questions and concerns” before you go. MedlinePlus also says to write down every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take. You can invite a friend or family member for support. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality lists 10 questions to ask. They cover tests, medicines, side effects, and treatment choices (AHRQ).
- Prepare for your next appointment: practical ways to get ready for a visit
Reading health information
Not every health page is equally reliable. MedlinePlus tells readers to check who runs a site, who pays for it, where its information comes from, and whether it is reviewed and updated. Its tutorial also warns, “Be cautious about sites that make unbelievable claims or promote ‘miracle cures.’” Read About Med-Help to learn how this site is made. If you have a specific topic in mind, browse conditions explained clearly.
- Read health information with context: help understanding what you read
When to get help now
Call 911 or your local emergency number if a person’s condition is life threatening (MedlinePlus). For urgent situations, go to first aid.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Make the most of your doctor visit (reviewed September 2024)
- AHRQ: The 10 Questions You Should Know (last reviewed November 2020)
- MedlinePlus: Evaluating Internet Health Information tutorial transcript
- MedlinePlus: Recognizing medical emergencies (reviewed January 2025)