Why you forget what the doctor said, and what to do about it

Rosa is 72. Last month she saw her doctor about her blood pressure. The doctor changed one of her pills, asked her to get a blood test, and told her to come back in six weeks.

Rosa nodded. She said thank you. She drove home.

At dinner her daughter asked, "So what did the doctor say?" Rosa thought for a moment. "I think she changed a pill. Or added one. And there was a test." She was not sure which pill. She was not sure about the test. So she kept taking the old pill and the new one, both.

Names and details are made up. This is not a real patient. But if this sounds like you or someone you love, you are not alone.

Why this happens

It is not your memory. It is the visit. A doctor visit goes fast. The words are hard. You may be worried, and worry makes it harder to remember.

A study of doctor visits found that people forget 40 to 80 percent of what the doctor said right away. And almost half of what they do remember, they remember wrong. (Kessels, 2003)

So if you get home and the visit is a blur, that is normal. It happens to most people.

What you can do

1. Ask the doctor to write it down. Say, "Can you write down what I need to do?" Most doctors are glad to.
2. Say it back. Before you leave, say what you heard in your own words. "So I stop the old pill, start the new one, and get a blood test." If you got it wrong, the doctor will fix it right there.
3. Bring someone. A second pair of ears helps. If no one can come, ask if they can be on the phone.
4. Ask these three questions. What is wrong? What do I need to do? Why does it matter?
5. Ask if you can record. Many providers say yes. Then you can go over what was said again at home.

How Keeybod helps

Keeybod is an app that records your visit after you ask your provider. It then gives you an easy-to-read summary on your phone, with your medicines and your next steps. It is free during the pilot.

Join the pilot list

By Dr. Jim Besong, family medicine doctor. This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your own doctor about your care.