Updated January 21, 2015.

Your doctor makes decisions based largely on the story that you tell. By making sure that you have your details correct you can increase the accuracy of diagnosis and speed up the medical process. Use this simple guide to get yourself organized.

1. Keep a Current Medications List

Create a list of all medications that you are currently taking. Include over-the-counter medications, birth control, and any supplements or vitamins. Keep the list updated and put it where someone can find it (inside the front cover of the phone book, in the medicine cabinet). This list will be invaluable to help prevent drug interactions, confusion from side effects, and overdose.

2. Make a Current Doctors List

Create a list of all your current doctors. Include the name, office location, specialty and phone number. If you have a medical condition, call each office and have them put a note in your file giving permission for your spouse, children, or friend to access your information, ask questions, and schedule on your behalf.

3. Use a Medical Event Form

Create a simple form to record any medical event or illness. Include what happened, when it happened, who you saw (with contact information), what medications were given, what else was done, and the result. Complete one form for each event that has happened in your life.

4. Keep a Family Medical History

Generate a family medical history. List all your immediate relatives -- grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters and record any health problems that they have ever had, what was done about them and the result.

5. Have a Questions Pad Handy

Keep a pad handy for writing down questions. When you go to your doctor's office, bring the pad and do not be afraid to ask all your questions. Do not feel like you are bothering the doctor -- you are actually helping him do his job, which is to protect your health. Write down your questions whenever you think of them and get answers.

6. Keep a Symptom Log

Write down the time of day, a description of your symptom and what you were doing or eating. This will provide clues as to what is wrong and what can be done about it. Consider yourself a detective and look for connections between symptoms and what is going on in your life.

7. Check Labels

It is easy to just reach for the pill bottle out of habit -- always check the label. Most medical mistakes occur when the wrong medication is given. If you are in the hospital, always ask the nurse for a label check. Most hospital require this as policy, but many nurses forget. The nurse should check the medication name against the orders AND check the name on the medication against your armband.

8. Bring a Second Set of Ears

Bring a family member or friend or family member with you to the doctor's visit. It is difficult to remember all the information and make sense of the doctor's comments when you are the one being talked about. Often people misunderstand what the doctor says and miss opportunities to improve their health. Having a second set of ears present can help you.

9. Write it Down

Bring a pen and paper with you to the doctor's office. Take notes as he or she talks (or have your friend or family member take notes). This is the best way to be sure you are understanding and will remember everything the doctor says.

10. Know your Rights

As a patient in the hospital you have rights. You can refuse to allow students to perform any procedure. All you have to say is "No students". This is not rude, and no one should take offense. You can write on all those disclosure forms "No Students" and sign your name next to it. You can also ask for the charge nurse if anything is not going how it should. The charge nurse is the supervisor for the nurses and is there is always one on duty. Don't feel like you are a burden, the charge nurse wants to know how to improve quality.