What to bring to a specialist appointment
A practical checklist for a specialist appointment: identity papers, medical documents, the medication list and the questions worth having ready.
Published on 22 Sept 2026
A specialist appointment is often short, and the doctor has to understand the patient's history quickly. With the right documents and your questions written down in advance, the time goes on what matters instead of looking for papers.
Before the appointment
- confirm the date, time and address, especially if the appointment was booked long ago
- check whether you need a referral and whether it is still valid
- bring an identity document and the health insurance card
- ask whether the patient must fast or take anything before a test
Medical documents
Do not bring the whole file at random: pick what relates to the reason for the visit, in order, with the most recent document on top.
- the latest discharge letter and the latest relevant specialist letter
- recent tests related to the problem you are going for
- imaging results together with the written report
- a one-page summary of the history, if you have one
The medication list
Write down every medicine, with the dose and the schedule, including supplements and what is taken only when needed. If you are unsure of a name or a dose, bring the box. Do not forget allergies and past adverse reactions.
Your questions, written down
Nerves make you forget exactly the question you came with. Write them down beforehand, for example:
- What does this result mean in our situation?
- What are the next steps, and when do we come back?
- Which signs should we watch for, and when should we call?
- Does anything change in the current medication? How do the other doctors find out?
During the appointment
Take notes of what the doctor says, or ask a companion to. Ask for the recommendations in writing, especially if a treatment changes, and ask again if anything is unclear.
After the appointment
- file the specialist letter under its date
- update the medication list if anything changed
- book the recommended check-ups and tests
- tell the family doctor and the other specialists about important changes
With MedCoord
In MedCoord the history, the current medication and allergies are always in one place, and for the appointment you print a ready-made PDF from the app: the summary, the patient's journey or the medication schedule. Upcoming appointments can go into your calendar, and after the visit you photograph the specialist letter and confirm what changed.
Request early accessThis guide helps you organize information. It is not medical advice: diagnosis and treatment decisions belong to the physician.