This gives you a chance to be more objective in appraising the service given. Some practices make use of the physician's assistant or a trained nurse to take the patient's history and run routine tests. The assistant may also arrange for X rays or other special tests before the patient sees the physician. A patient may also be asked to answer some questions using a medical computer. The machine asks a set series of questions, which the physician can expand upon during the patient's first visit.
Patients often find it easier to give yes and no answers to the machine about embarrassing topics.
But if patients object to responding to the machine, they can of course refuse and speak directly to the doctor. When you see the physician, try to present your symptoms in as concise and accurate a way as possible. If you are particularly concerned about something, mention it. It is often necessary for the physician to ask questions that may not seem to be related to your symptoms. Even if the questions seem unnecessary, it is important to answer them accurately.