Imagine This…
You walk out to your car and realize all four tires are bald. Not just worn — dangerously bald. And to make matters worse, the engine’s been sputtering.
You take it to a garage, wait patiently, and when they bring your car back out… only one tire has been replaced. The engine? Still sputtering. No mention of it. No game plan. No diagnosis. Just a patch job.
You’d be frustrated, right?
Well, that’s exactly how most doctor visits go.
The Truth About Today’s Healthcare System
After 30 years in healthcare, I’ve seen the same pattern over and over again — both as a provider and a patient. You get 10-15 minutes, maybe some labs, maybe a quick medication adjustment… and you’re out the door.
But where’s the real conversation?
Where’s the strategy for improving your long-term health?
Here’s the hard truth: our healthcare system is designed for treatment, not prevention.
And unless you come prepared, you’ll get the same surface-level care everyone else does.
How to Turn Your Next Doctor Visit Into a Game-Changer
Your primary care appointment should be a strategy session for your future, not just a box to check.
To help you take control, I’m giving you five powerful questions to bring to your next visit. These questions will not only spark meaningful conversation — they’ll help your doctor actually help you.
Let’s get into it.
1. What screenings or tests should I be getting based on my age, lifestyle, and risk factors?
Yes, we all need the basics — blood work, colonoscopies, cancer screenings. But what about tests that actually predict and influence how well you’ll live?
Think of it as your body’s horsepower — a predictor of how long and how well you’ll live. VO₂ max is rarely discussed in primary care, but it’s one of the most important markers of physical health and longevity.
2. Are my lab values trending in the right direction — even if they’re “normal”?
Most lab reports show green, yellow, and red zones. If you’re in the green, great… but are you slipping toward yellow year over year?
Ask your doctor about trends in your:
- Fasting glucose
- HbA1c
- Vitamin D (listen to my podcast on Vitamin D)
- LDL particle count
Don’t just aim to avoid disease — aim to optimize.
3. Am I on the lowest effective dose of my medications? Can any be reversed with lifestyle changes?
Too many people become long-term “lab rats” — stacking prescriptions with no real plan to reduce or eliminate them.
Ask:
- “Could I reduce my dose with better habits?”
- “Is there a pathway to eventually come off this medication?”
Your provider may not always have the time to bring this up. But if you bring it up, you open the door to a smarter, more proactive approach.
4. What’s one thing I could do this year to improve my long-term health?
This question is GOLD. It gives your provider the chance to step out of autopilot and actually coach you.
Want to really shake things up? Ask:
- “If you were me, what would you change first?”
You’ll get more honest, actionable advice than you ever expected — and you’ll likely be remembered as the most thoughtful patient they’ve seen all week.
5. Can we talk about prevention — not just treatment?
Don’t wait until you’re pre-diabetic or hypertensive to take action.
Push the conversation toward prevention:
- What can I start doing now to avoid problems 10 years from now?
- What lifestyle choices will give me the best return on energy?
Small changes, done consistently over time, can prevent the very issues the healthcare system is designed to treat.
You Are the CEO of Your Health
Here’s the mindset shift: Your doctor is not the boss — you are.
They are a consultant. A smart, experienced one, sure. But you are the Chief Executive Officer of your healthspan.
That means it’s on you to walk into your next appointment prepared, curious, and focused.
So here’s your action item:
✅ Write down these five questions
✅ Send them to your provider before your visit (or bring them in hand)
✅ Use your appointment as a strategy session — not a checklist
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt frustrated after a rushed visit or confused by vague lab results, know this: you can take control.
Start by asking better questions. Then take action.
Because your doctor’s visit should be more than routine — it should be transformational.
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Let’s help more people take ownership of their healthspan — and get more out of every visit.
Cheers,
Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS
Healthspan Coach
