With a little planning and the right mentality, you need not dread a medical visit.

Karen Roberts, a nurse practitioner with the Internal Medicine Group, recently gave a workshop on how to have a good medical visit, as part of the Lawrence Public Library’s Skillbuilders series.

“We want patients to get the most out of their medical care,” Roberts said.

Roberts told the workshop participants to come to their visits prepared. That includes bringing a list of all current medications and allergies. New patients should bring their medical history with them.

Roberts said patients should also let their care providers know whether they are taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements.

Sherri Vaughn, a family practice physician with Lawrence Memorial Hospital, agreed that patients who are prepared typically have a smoother visit.

Along with preparing a medical history, Vaughn said patients should also prepare mentally for their visit by reducing their stress level.

“That underlying anxiety has an effect on how their visit may go,” Vaughn said.

Patients who come to medical visits with high anxiety can have increased blood pressure readings.

Vaughn and Roberts both recommend that patients allow plenty of time to arrive at the office and fill out their paperwork. Traffic delays are one thing that can increase a patient’s anxiety before a visit, Vaughn said.

Regular patients should arrive 10 minutes before their appointment times and new patients should arrive 30 minutes before.

Vaughn and Roberts recommend that patients wear comfortable clothes to their appointments, including a shirt that allows access to their arms if they need lab work done.

When scheduling an appointment, a patient should let the office know exactly what the appointment is for to allow enough time for the visits. And patients who have experienced chest pain, abdominal pain or shortness of breath should let their providers know at the beginning of the visit, Roberts said.

The shift to electronic medical records has become a source of anxiety for some patients, Roberts said. Some worry about records security, and others feel medical providers spend too much time looking at the computer and not enough engaging the patient. Roberts said these are valid issues and patients should be up front with their provider about these concerns.

“If patients have concerns, they should definitely talk to us about it,” Roberts said. “Some people do get nervous, and that’s understandable.”

Roberts said she has shown patients how the electronic records work to ease their worries. With the electronic system, providers can now view a patient’s blood pressure or lab results with the click of a button. Providers can also send prescriptions to the pharmacy through the computer.

“When they see the capabilities, they appreciate the computer as a tool,” Roberts said.

Roberts also said patients should tell their providers about any underlying concerns. This allows the provider to put the symptoms into context.

“We really are trying to be a partner with them in their care,” Roberts said.