When you are in the exam room with your doctor, you may not have a lot of time to get important information. Your doctor can do a great job of explaining what you should do next. But when you get home, it can be hard to remember everything you were told.

Taking notes can help you understand and follow your treatment plan once you leave the doctor’s office. You can bring paper and a pen, type notes into your phone, or bring a friend or relative to take notes for you. Or download and print this form and fill it out before you go.

Remember, you can always ask your doctor to slow down so you can write things down. And if you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation.

Your notes will also help you at your next appointment. You can review your notes to see your progress and report back on how well you have followed the treatment plan. Over time taking notes will become second nature—just like it was in school!