The long-awaited visit is finally here. Now, what exactly was I supposed to ask the doctor?

I don't know if you ever feel like that, but sometimes when you go to the doctor's office, you get lost in the moment and don't say the things you were suppose to say and ask the questions you want answered. According to an ER resident physician, you have about three to five minutes to "capture" the physician's attention and after that, they are on to the next patient. Not intentionally, but if they are seeing patients every seven to 15 minutes, that's about all there is time for in the scope of the visit.

With the cost of rising health insurance premiums, office visit co-pays and high deductibles, you as the patient need to come prepared for your doctor's visit. Here are some tips on what you can do to help make your experience an informative one.

1. Come prepared. Most physicians now can only talk to you about two of your issues at a time. If you have multiple issues, you will need to make more appointments. Know this ahead of time and decide what the important issues are for you that day, and address them at the start.

2. Be clear and concise. The physician needs your history leading up to this problem; you need to make it as detailed and to the point as possible. If you know dates and time frames, that is very helpful. Go over this information ahead of time and if you memory is a problem, write it down. If you take medications that seem to be conflicting with each other, you need to bring the information from the cardiac physician and the endocrinologist when you see the family practice doctor. Do not assume he/she knows all this information. It is your responsibility to know your medicines and your history.

3. Know your family history. So many health issues are familial-related. The more you understand your family medical tree, the more you know what you need to be careful about with your own health. For example, if your family has a history of autoimmune diseases, then you need to be aware of that possibility in your life also.

4. Establish your goals. You may have short- and long-term goals with your health, and you and your doctor need to be clear about these goals. If your goal is to wean off your cholesterol or your high blood pressure medication, then you and your doctor need to discuss that and decide steps for that intervention. That may include losing 40 pounds over the next year; you may need physical therapy as a way to assist you in reaching your goal.

5. Make a plan. You need a detailed plan to determine how you will reach your goals. Your health is no different than any other aspect of your life. You make a plan to buy a house or a new car, and your health should be no different. So first, you will need to decide how much time each day it will take, what type of monetary investment you will have to make, and how much are you willing to sacrifice for your goal. Sometimes you can work out at home, or buy relatively inexpensive equipment to get you moving again. Other times, you may need a membership with a gym or a trainer.

You may need help from a physical therapist to get your shoulder or your knee strength back to normal, so you can return to ballet or skiing. It's a commitment to yourself, and only you can do it on a daily basis.

So go ahead and see the doctor, and be prepared so you can live the life you want. We are rooting for you, and we are here to help you get on your way.

Sheree DiBiase, PT is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy. She and her staff can be reached in their Coeur d'Alene office at (208) 667-1988, and in their Spokane Valley office at (509) 891-2623.