During a visit, you may be assisted by a team of several medical professionals. A nurse may take your blood pressure or temperature before your clinician comes into the examination room. Laboratory or radiology technicians will assist you when having various tests performed. Each professional will report medical findings in your medical chart so the clinician can make a diagnosis. Additionally, because emotional well-being is considered part of overall health care, you may be offered a consultation with a counselor.

US clinicians will ask you many questions about your symptoms in an effort to be thorough and learn more about your health concern. They may ask you to describe symptoms in detail (where they are, how they feel to you, when they began) or what treatments you may have tried. This can be difficult for some international students if you are not yet comfortable with English or if the directness of the questions makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. Your clinician wants to help you. If you are having trouble communicating or are uncertain about questions you are being asked, please tell your clinician so you can work together to make sure you get the care you need.

Your clinician also will expect you to ask questions, especially if you do not understand what is being asked or if you want more information on your health condition. Students often come with a list of questions written down on paper, so they won’t forget to ask about important concerns.

Students sometimes bring a friend with them who can help with communication or who can provide personal support. Try to remember that your answers to the questions your clinician asks will help him or her more fully understand your concern and find a suitable remedy. 

Clinicians make a diagnosis based on objective data gathered during your visit, including laboratory tests (e.g., blood tests, thoat cultures, etc.) and/or x-rays. It is not unusual for lab tests to be ordered for what may seem like a minor health concern. This is routine practice in western medicine and does not mean you have a serious or life-threatening illness. If you have questions about why a test is needed, how much it is going to cost, or whether it is covered by health insurance, please ask.

Women are routinely asked questions about their sexual health history, including possible pregnancy, in order to complete a quality health assessment and to provide the best possible care. This information will help our staff avoid ordering medications and x-rays that may be harmful during pregnancy. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a question or do not understand why it is relevant, please ask. The staff will be happy to explain. 

Yes. If you are taking medications you brought from home or using herbal remedies, please tell your clinician. Some medications can interact with others in harmful ways, and your clinician will need to consider these when prescribing new medication.

Your clinician will discuss with you his or her diagnosis and review treatment options by explaining the risks or benefits of each. This also is a time for you to ask questions, if you don’t understand something or if you need further clarification.  Once you have discussed the options, you and your clinician will decide together which treatment is preferable. If further evaluation is required, your clinician may refer you to a specialist in the community. You also may ask for a second opinion from another clinician to further assist you in making treatment decisions.

Unlike countries with nationalized health care, fees are charged for all health services received in the U.S. Having health insurance is essential for students, their spouses and children to help cover these costs.