How to become your own patient advocate: Part 1
When faced with a debilitating illness and symptoms a doctor can’t diagnose, you’re often left at a dead end road with no answers. But with so many resources available to us these days, the quest for answers doesn’t have to stop when a doctor says ‘you’re fine, there’s nothing wrong with you.’
How many of you comparison shop when you’re going to buy a big ticket item, like a new TV? This is usually an expensive purchase and you want to get the most for your money. Would you buy the first TV you saw? Or would you shop around, comparing prices and specs at various stores? I know I would. And that’s the mind set needed for getting the best health care possible. If you’re having symptoms that your doctor won’t address or says the test results show nothing is wrong, then shop around and get another opinion. No one doctor has all the answers.
This is when you make the conscious decision to change from passive patient to an active advocate for your own health care. And that’s OK. Don’t feel like you’re going to offend your doctor. Your health needs to be the number priority.
Prepare yourself and take control over your visits with your health care provider. You can do this in 3 ways.
1. Ask questions. If your doctor talks to you using medical jargon, tell them you don’t understand. Don’t nod your head in silence.
2. Be prepared. Come to your appointment with questions in mind or write them down. Try to stay focused on the bigger issues you’re experiencing. You have a limited amount of time during your appointment to discuss your symptoms or concerns and you don’t want to leave wishing you’d asked this question or that question.
3. Communicate your concerns or fears to your doctor. Their job is to help you achive a healthy well-being. And if they can’t do it themselves, then they should be able to refer you to someone who can. If your concerns revolve around insurance or inability to pay for your medical needs, don’t be afraid to bring it up with your doctor. They can often times refer you outside sources that can offer assistance.
In How to become your own patient advocate: Part II I’ll explore the different ways in which you can select a health provider that will meet your needs - so please stay tuned.
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