Bring a detailed list of any new symptoms or problems that are prompting the visit, including when they started.

Bring all medications, vitamins, or supplements (including herbal ones) that you are taking.

Jot down in advance any questions you want to ask or issues you need to have the doctor clarify.

Arrive on time.

Arrive early if your insurance requires a copayment, and check in at the appointment desk as soon as you arrive.

To prevent any distractions to you or the doctor, please turn off your cell phone when you are in the exam room or leave your phone at home or in the car.

Please refrain from bringing food or beverages into the exam room.

Advise your doctor of any changes to your health history, such as weight loss or gain, modifications to diet, new exercise program, altered sleep patterns, etc.

When you leave, ask your doctor when you should be seen again.

Schedule future appointments and tests before you leave.

If you need to cancel your appointment for any reason, be sure to call so you can be rescheduled.

Service excellence is the number one priority at Jefferson Medical Associates, and there are a number of avenues available for you to share your opinions in this regard. You can always ask to speak to the supervisor of any department, area, or site when you have an experience that you feel is less than excellent. We encourage you to take this step for immediate resolution of any problem or issue.

MD stands for Medical Doctor and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both have four years of undergraduate and four years of basic medical education. Both must pass similar state licensing exams after completing a residency. Both practice in fully accredited and licensed medical centers and hospitals. A DO has additional training in the musculoskeletal system with a greater focus on the body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles, and bones, and the root or cause of a problem. A DO uses manipulative treatment such as soft tissue techniques and massage therapy to help improve circulation and mobility and therefore promote healing. Because DOs practice a "whole person" approach to medicine, most are general practitioners. However, a DO can enter into a specialty, such as cardiology or orthopedics, just as an MD can.

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master's degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as a few complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners are generally licensed through nursing boards rather than medical boards as they provide advanced nursing services. All nurse practitioners are considered "mid-level" providers similar to physician assistants (PAs). Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services.

Nurse Practitioners treat both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, physical therapy, ordering tests and therapies for patients, within their scope of practice. NPs can serve as a patient's primary health care provider, and see patients of all ages depending on their designated scope of practice.

In the United States, NPs are licensed by the state in which they practice, and have a national board certification (usually through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners). Nurse Practitioners can be trained and nationally board certified in areas of FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner), Pediatrics, including Pediatric Acute/Chronic Care, Pediatric Critical Care, Pediatric Oncology and general Pediatrics (PNP), Neonatology (NNP), Gerontology (GNP), Women's Health (WHNP), Psychiatry & Mental Health (PMHNP), Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Health (ANP), Oncology (ONP), Emergency Medicine (as FNP or ACNP), Occupational Health (as ANP), etc. These programs, offered by many universities with a School of Nursing, are graduate-level nursing programs; upon completion students may be awarded a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

In regard to level and scope of practice, each state certifies nurse practitioners thus their scope of practice can differ depending on the state. Nurse practitioners may practice independent of physician supervision.

Clinical Assistants, or Medical assistants, can be certified or registered health care workers who perform the administrative and clinical tasks that keep the offices of licensed health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with physician assistants.

Medical assistants must work under a physician's direct supervision when performing clinical duties delegated by the physician.

Some states allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving injections or taking X-rays, after passing a test or taking a course.

Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients' medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and book keeping. Duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting during diagnostic examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and dispose of contaminated supplies. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare patients for X-rays and take electrocardiograms. Last but not least they serve as direct link and communicator between patient and other health care professionals whenever there is a need.