Guide to Your First Visit With a New Primary Care Physician

What to Expect During Your First Visit With a Primary Care Physician

Visiting a new doctor is a great opportunity to establish a trusting relationship with a medical expert who’ll help you manage your health for life. If it’s your first time visiting a primary care provider, we’re here to explain what to expect and how to prepare so you can feel comfortable and confident during your first visit with your new partner in health.

Why Your First Visit Matters

Your initial visit with a new primary care provider is extremely important as it establishes a foundation for your long-term medical care. No matter how many specialists you may need to see on your health care journey, your physician is the provider who fully understands your complete health history, as well as your family’s history.

Your first visit with your primary care physician allows you to:

• Build a relationship based on trust and communication
• Create a personalized medical plan that includes your health needs and goals
• Establish care for any pre-existing chronic conditions
• Get prescription refills for any medical conditions, as needed
• Receive regular preventive care through health screenings and vaccines
• Set up referrals to specialists for chronic illnesses
• Streamline your health care coordination for any additional primary care services, specialists or therapists

Plus, many major health insurance policies cover the initial annual wellness visit, so your visit will likely be low-cost or no-cost.

How to Prepare for Your First Appointment

As you prepare for your first visit with a primary care physician, knowing what to bring ahead of time can make your appointment easier and more efficient.

When you arrive, the office staff will ask for identification and may provide some new patient paperwork to complete. A few days before your appointment, take a few moments to gather important items such as:

• A copy of your past medical records
• Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
• Health insurance card
• List of any current medications and supplements you’re taking, both prescription and over-the-counter ones

What Happens During the First Appointment

Your new doctor will read your chart, but more importantly, they’ll want to hear about you, from you. Be prepared to talk about your past health issues, any current health concerns and your immediate family members’ health histories. Your primary care provider will want to know about:

• Any allergies you may have (to medications or otherwise)
• Any current health concerns
• A record of your family’s medical history
• A log of any vaccinations you’ve had
• Your lifestyle choices, including activity levels and diet

Before going to your appointment, take a few moments to write down your questions so you don't forget.

A. Welcome and Check-In

When you arrive, our front desk staff or a medical assistant will greet you, confirm your ID and insurance and make sure any necessary forms are completed.

B. Vital Signs and Health History

A medical assistant will take you back to your exam room and check your height, weight, blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. They may also ask a few quick questions about what brings you in today and confirm some information already on file.

During your first visit, your physician or physician assistant will likely ask about your personal and family medical history, as well as your current lifestyle habits, like diet, exercise, sleep and tobacco or alcohol use. This helps give them a clearer picture of your health so they can provide the best possible care for you.

C. Face-to-Face Time With the Physician

Once the medical assistant has finished talking with you, your doctor will come in to meet with you. They’ll review your medical history and the information gathered by the assistant to guide your conversation and address your health needs.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, including:

• Listening to your lungs and heart
• Feeling your lymph nodes to check their size
• Examining the inside of your ears, nose, throat and eyes
• Gently palpating your abdomen
• Scanning your skin for signs of rashes or moles
• Checking your reflexes and balance

Your doctor will also want to know about any health goals you may have, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. They may offer advice for making important lifestyle changes to help improve your overall health, or they may refer you to a specialist to continue the conversation with a more targeted approach.

D. Preventive Care and Screenings

Based on your age, gender and risk factors, your doctor will use the information from your vitals and physical exam to make preventive care recommendations, such as:

• Basic metabolic or thyroid panel
• Cervical cancer screening
• Cholesterol and glucose screenings
• Colonoscopy
• Mammogram
• Mental health screening
• Osteoporosis testing
• Skin screening
• Vaccinations
• Vision exam

After the Visit: What Comes Next?

At the end of your first visit, your doctor or medical assistant may provide:

• Referrals to specialists
• Orders for preventive screenings or imaging
• Bloodwork appointments
• Prescriptions or refills

You’ll also have the chance to schedule follow-up visits, including annual checkups.

After your appointment, take a moment to review any recommendations or referrals and stay engaged with your care plan. Many practices, including our AdventHealth Primary Care+ locations, offer online patient portals where you can schedule appointments, request refills and message your doctor, making it easy to stay connected to your care between visits.

Take Charge of Your Health, One Visit at a Time

Scheduling your first doctor visit with a primary care physician is an empowering step toward lifelong wellness. By connecting with a provider who understands your full health picture, you’re taking proactive steps to prevent major illnesses and ensure you receive any specialized care you might need.

Our compassionate team at AdventHealth Primary Care+ is here to support you every step of the way. Find your nearest Primary Care+ location or schedule an appointment to start your journey toward better health.