Clinician Conversation Checklist

Care coordination

Questions to bring to a qualified professional

Good wellness information should make people better partners in their care, not pull them away from care. Use this checklist before a medical, dietitian, therapy, pharmacy, or pediatric appointment.

  • What symptoms or changes should I not ignore?
  • Are my supplements safe with my medications?
  • Do I need labs, screening, or follow-up testing?
  • Are there food restrictions for my condition?
  • How much movement is safe right now?
  • What sleep, stress, or mental-health symptoms need treatment?
  • For infants or children: are growth, feeding, texture, allergies, hydration, and development on track?
Use medical care when it matters: seek qualified care for emergencies, pregnancy or infant concerns, eating-disorder risk, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer care, heart symptoms, severe mental-health symptoms, medication conflicts, unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, blood in stool or urine, new lumps, severe pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Sources

  1. Dietary Guidelines for Americans – Federal dietary guidance for healthy eating patterns across the lifespan.
  2. CDC: When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods – Infant feeding timing and readiness guidance.
  3. CDC: Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds – Complementary feeding, beverages, and early-life nutrition safety.
  4. CDC: How Much and How Often To Feed – Practical toddler meal and snack rhythm guidance.
  5. CDC: Adult Physical Activity Guidance – At least 150 minutes weekly of moderate activity plus 2 days of strengthening.
  6. HHS: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans – Life-stage physical activity recommendations.
  7. CDC: Sleep and Sleep Disorders – Public health information on sleep and health.
  8. NCCIH: Detoxes and Cleanses – Safety concerns and evidence limitations around cleansing programs.
  9. NCCIH: Meditation and Mindfulness – Evidence and safety overview for meditation and mindfulness practices.
  10. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin, mineral, herb, and supplement fact sheets.
  11. FDA: Nutrition Facts Label – How to evaluate packaged food labels.
  12. FDA: Advice About Eating Fish – Seafood guidance for children and people who are or might become pregnant.