Getting the Most Out of Every Doctor Visit

As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is talk to the doctor who treats your child’s asthma. And it’s normal that you may have many questions for the doctor about asthma. Staying involved and working closely with a doctor will ensure that you can help your child take care of his or her asthma, and make sure that the treatment is tailored to fit his or her needs.

Develop your own asthma care team

In addition to the doctor who treats your child’s asthma, there are many other people who can help, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, medical assistants, and even your pharmacist. Take every opportunity you can to communicate with each member of your asthma care team. They are all there to help you provide the right treatment for your child.

Make the most of each asthma discussion
with your doctor

It's not unusual to feel rushed when you take your child to see the doctor. You might feel overwhelmed or intimidated or find unfamiliar medical terms confusing. You may even be distracted by your child. All of these challenges can get in the way of communicating with the doctor during the visit. But it’s important for you to feel comfortable when talking to a doctor about asthma. Get started by answering these questions about your child’s breathing and discussing the answers with your child's doctor.

Does your child

• Experience daytime asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness more than twice a week?
• Wake at night with similar symptoms of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness more than twice a month?
• Have a cough that persists for weeks following a cold?
• Experience episodes of the above respiratory symptoms that require visits to the doctor, emergency room, or urgent care center?
• Need to use a rescue medicine or inhaler, like albuterol, more than twice a week?
• Have trouble keeping up with his or her friends when running or playing sports as a result of breathing problems?

Additionally, to make sure you get the most out of each visit, try using the Doctor Discussion Guide (PDF – 352KB) to help make sure your questions and concerns about your child’s treatment are addressed. If you are uncertain about which treatment option to explore with your doctor, download Controller vs Rescue: Know the Difference (PDF – 356KB) to learn more about the two main types of asthma medications.

Tips for talking to your child’s doctor
about asthma

It’s time to make the most of the conversations you have with the doctor who treats your child’s asthma. Here are some general tips that may be able to help you do so.

• Prepare for each visit ahead of time. Know what your concerns are, and be prepared to discuss them. Write down your questions before the appointment
• Ask questions until you are sure you understand the answers. Write down the answers and any instructions the doctor gives you and review your child’s asthma action plan (PDF – 576KB)
• Provide feedback to the doctor. He or she relies on you to check in about what is and isn't working with your child's treatment plan