More guides · from the first edition of Issue #1

Walk Into the Doctor's Office With a Game Plan

Appointments go fast, and the best questions always show up in the parking lot afterward. Tell the AI what's going on, and it'll help you make a short, prioritized list of questions to bring along, so you leave with answers instead of regrets.

Why it's useful

The average appointment is short, and it's easy to forget the one thing you meant to ask. An AI chatbot is great at turning a jumble of worries into a short, organized list, with the most important questions first. It won't diagnose you, and that's not its job here. Its job is to help you make the most of your time with someone who can.

Which free AI to use

Best free pick: Claude — type claude.ai into your web browser, or install the free “Claude” app from your phone’s app store.

Free plan, honestly: Free, but you must sign in with a free account before you can chat. Photos and voice work on the free plan, but there's an overall usage cap that resets every 5 hours.

How to open it: Go to claude.ai and create a free account with your email address (or open the Claude app). Type or paste into the box that says something like “How can I help you today?”

Also works in: ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. This one is text-only, so every free plan handles it easily.

Step by step

Jot down a few notes first: why you're going, what you've noticed and when it started, and what worries you most.
Open Claude at claude.ai and sign in.
Copy the prompt below with the blue button and paste it into the message box.
Fill in the blanks (the parts in [square brackets]) with your own details. Plain words are fine; spelling doesn't matter.
Press Send. Read the list and cross out anything that doesn't apply.
Ask it to trim: “Make this fit on one page with large print.” Then print it, or keep it open on your phone.
Bring it to the appointment and hand a copy to the doctor or nurse at the start. They usually appreciate it.

The prompt to copy and paste

Press the button to copy it. Then paste it into Claude's message box. Replace anything in [square brackets] with your own details.

Copy-paste prompt

I have a doctor's appointment coming up and I want to make the most of it. Please help me prepare a short list of questions.

- Type of appointment: [for example: regular checkup / specialist / follow-up]
- Main reason I'm going: [describe it]
- What I've noticed and when it started: [describe it]
- Medicines and supplements I take: [list them, or say "none"]
- What worries me most: [describe it]

Please give me:
1. The 5 most important questions to ask, most important first.
2. Things I should make sure to tell the doctor.
3. Questions to ask if they suggest a new medicine, test, or procedure.

Keep it to one page, in plain language. Don't try to diagnose me. Just help me ask good questions.

What the AI might say back

EXAMPLE ONLY This is a made-up sample to show the kind of answer you'll get. Your answer will be worded differently and based on your own situation.

Your top 5 questions (for a follow-up about right knee pain, worse on stairs, for about 3 months):

What do you think is causing the pain, and how sure are you?
Is there a test (like an X-ray) that would help, and what would it change?
What can I do at home, such as exercises, ice or heat, or a brace, and what should I avoid?
Is it safe to keep taking ibuprofen with my blood pressure medicine? Is there a better option?
What signs would mean I should call you or come back sooner?

Be sure to tell the doctor: when it started, what makes it better or worse, that it's waking you up at night, and every medicine you take, including over-the-counter ones…

Tips

Bring a family member or friend if you can, and give them a copy so they can help take notes.
Afterward, you can paste in your own notes and ask: “Organize these into a simple to-do list.”
Urgent symptoms are not a chatbot job. Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness, or confusion: call 911.

Privacy note

You don't need to give your name, birth date, or insurance details to get a great list. Describe symptoms and medicines in general terms. And remember: the AI is a note-taking helper, not a doctor. Medical decisions belong to you and your health-care provider.