Most people leave their doctor’s appointments without asking at least one important question such as how their family health history shapes certain health risks or what a recent lab result might mean for their day-to-day life.
Unfortunately, this is often the result of an average primary care visit in the U.S. lasting only 18 minutes and compounded by the fact that physicians see an average of 20 or more patients per day. Simply, there’s often not enough time to address the reason for your visit, let alone dig into your health history.
The solution is to invest in the shared and ongoing provider-patient relationship with your primary care provider, as studies show that patients who have a trusted, ongoing relationship with their provider have better health outcomes, lower hospitalization rates, and higher satisfaction with their care.
“When the relationship between the patient and provider is built on trust and deep engagement, it can lead to truly meaningful health improvements,” said Natasha Bhuyan, MD, Vice President of In-Office Care and National Medical Director at Amazon One Medical. “I’ve seen firsthand how creating the time and space to build a genuine relationship with a patient can uncover challenges such as anxiety, chronic disease, and lifestyle factors that are quietly impacting health.”
The Questions to Ask
To build a long-term relationship with your provider and maximize your time together, come prepared. Before your appointment, jot down your main concerns, current medications, and any questions that come to mind. A few questions to consider, include:
1. How does my family health history affect my risk?
In addition to sharing family history on intake forms, ask what it actually means for your health, lifestyle, or preventive care plan. Your primary care provider can translate that history into a personalized roadmap for your health.
2. Beyond my current physical symptoms, what else should you know about my life that might be affecting my health?
Providers need the full picture, not just the presenting problem. Are you caring for aging parents? Going through a major life transition? Skipping meals because of your work schedule? These life factors have real physiological impacts but often go unmentioned because patients don’t realize they’re medically relevant. Bringing them up helps your provider understand obstacles to care and tailor recommendations to your life.
3. Can you walk me through my lab results?
Lab reports can be confusing. Asking your provider to explain what they mean for your specific health profile will help give you a better understanding of where your overall health stands. It’s just as important to understand “normal” labs, as it is to understand “abnormal” lab results.
There are also new tools that can help, such as One Medical’s Health Insights which analyzes more than 50 biomarkers from standard bloodwork results and translates them into actionable insights organized by health domains. This is designed to empower members to have more meaningful conversations with their care team in their next visit.
4. What screenings or preventive care should I prioritize in the next year?
Your provider can outline which screenings matter most for your age, risk factors, and family history, and help you prioritize them. This could include but is not limited to cancer screenings, like cervical, colorectal, or breast cancer, as well as blood pressure and sexual health screenings.
5. How do I partner with you if I need a specialist?
Many health concerns from chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension to issues like menopause can often be managed effectively in primary care.
However, when specialty care is needed, your provider should act as your advocate and coordinator, helping you find the right specialist, sharing your medical records, and following up on recommendations. At practices integrated with health systems, such as One Medical’s partnership with Baylor Scott & White in Dallas, this coordination happens seamlessly.
Take the Next Step
These questions turn routine appointments into real partnerships—where you leave with clarity about your health, confidence in your next steps, and continuity with a provider who knows you.
Where to Get Support in Dallas
One Medical offers 30-minute appointments, same- or next-day availability, and 24/7 messaging for members with their care team to ask follow-up questions after a visit. With offices in Dallas in collaboration with Baylor Scott & White at Addison Prestonwood Place, Mockingbird Station, Preston Center, Shops at Legacy, and West 7th District, One Medical’s providers focus on building long-term relationships with patients through preventive care, chronic condition management, and personalized guidance to help you build sustainable healthy habits.
To learn more or schedule a visit, visit health.amazon.com.
