Question sheet
Write symptoms, timing, medications, family history and what you hope to understand before an appointment.
Request the sheetRESOURCES
Useful references for the next conversation.
A curated starting point for readers who want to learn, record patterns and speak with qualified professionals.
Note-taking tools
The tools below are intentionally simple. They rely on pen and paper or a basic notes app, and they can be started in a few minutes. Each one links to a Willow page that explains how to use it.
Weekly reflection
Track sleep, meals, movement, stress and connection with short notes rather than a complicated score.
Use a guideSource reading
Look for public health agencies, professional associations and peer-reviewed research when checking a claim.
Read our methodA fourth tool is the glossary, which can be used alongside any of the above to clarify unfamiliar words. Together these resources cover the three moments when notes help most: before a conversation, during daily life and while reading about a claim.
Bring context with you
Good notes do not need to be perfect. They can help you describe what changed, what you tried and which question matters most today.
When symptoms feel urgent or safety is involved, use appropriate local medical or emergency services rather than waiting for an editorial response. In Indonesia, the national emergency number is 112, and most cities have hospital emergency departments that operate around the clock.
Appointments are often short, and it is easy to forget a question once the conversation begins. A single page that lists your three most important points can keep the discussion focused and leave time for the professional to explain their reasoning.
Preparing for an appointment in four steps
A simple sequence helps turn scattered observations into a conversation that a busy professional can follow.
One week before
Start a short log. Note sleep times, meals, activity and any symptom, including when it began and what seems to change it.
Two days before
List current medicines and any products you use regularly, with doses where you know them, and gather previous test results or letters.
The day before
Choose the three questions that matter most and write them at the top of the page. Add a fourth line for anything you are worried about forgetting.
After the visit
Write down what was said in your own words, the next steps and the date of any follow-up. Ask for clarification if an instruction was unclear.
Where to look for reliable information
Not every source serves the same purpose. The table compares common types of source, what each is useful for and what to keep in mind when reading.
| Source type | Useful for | Keep in mind | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health agencies | General guidance on food, activity, sleep and mental wellbeing | Advice is written for populations, so personal context still matters | The Indonesian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization |
| Professional associations | Position statements and patient information leaflets | Statements may be updated, so check the publication date | National societies for cardiology, nutrition or sleep medicine |
| Peer-reviewed journals | Detailed evidence on a specific question | One study rarely settles a topic; look for reviews that combine several | Articles indexed in public research databases |
| University health services | Plain-language explainers prepared by clinicians and educators | Content may reflect the context of a particular country | Patient information pages from teaching hospitals |
| Editorial publications | Context, stories and practical framing | Check whether the article names its sources and shows a review date | The Willow journal and similar independent media |
A short checklist for reading any health claim
Before you trust it
- Is the author or organisation named, with a way to contact them?
- Is there a publication or review date, and is it recent enough?
- Does the text link to the original research or guidance?
- Does it explain limits and uncertainty, or does it sound certain about everything?
Before you act on it
- Does the suggestion fit your health history, medicines and circumstances?
- Is it a small, reversible step that you can observe for a few weeks?
- Would a qualified professional be able to confirm or adjust it?
- Does it ask you to spend money or share personal details before you can read it?
The most useful resource is often a single sheet of paper with three honest questions on it. Everything else on this page exists to help someone get to those three questions.
From the Willow editorial desk
Questions about these resources
Do the tools cost anything?
No. The tools described here are free to use and do not require an account. If a sheet is sent by email, it is used only to reply to your request, as described in the privacy policy.
Can I share a completed sheet with my doctor?
Yes, that is the purpose of the question sheet. Willow does not collect your notes, and the information stays with you unless you choose to share it.
How are external sources chosen?
We favour public health agencies, professional associations and peer-reviewed research. The editorial policy explains how sources are checked and how corrections are handled.
Resources support a conversation
These materials are educational. They do not diagnose, prescribe or replace an appointment with a qualified professional. If you feel unsafe or unwell, contact local emergency services.
Contact the editors