Be. Well. How to Better Advocate for Yourself When Visiting the Doctor
Because doctors and nurses are often held in such high regard, it can be easy to forget that they are still human. Like the rest of us, they have good and bad days; their attention can vary from one day to the next; and they can even hold unconscious biases. As a patient, however, though it can be difficult to accept that the person you entrust with your health might not always be “all in” when it comes to your care, what can you really do about it? Assuming you have no medical degree of your own, what part can you play to steer your doctor visit toward a great outcome? Anticipation and advocacy are the most important concerns to assure a successful visit.
First, prepare adequately.
Adequate preparation is extremely important. Choosing the right physician and clearly describing your symptoms can improve your appointment experience. Below is a list of helpful steps you can take when searching for a doctor:
- Look for a physician who is board certified, well regarded and is trained in the area in which you are most concerned.
- Use a Provider Finder to search for providers who meet your specific needs.
- Read doctor’s biographies on their facility’s website or professional social profiles; and
- Search websites for a doctor who shares religious, cultural and other commonalities with you (e.g., www.skinofcolorsociety.org, www.cathmed.org, etc.).
1. Make sure your doctor understands your concerns
A fundamental part of any doctor’s appointment is effective communication of your concerns and questions. Make a list of your questions and concerns to bring with you and go over with your doctor. When stating your concerns, observe if your doctor appears to be engaged, waits for you to finish before they speak, writes notes or asks follow-up questions.
2. Have a prepared phrase ready
And if you suspect that they’re not listening, lack empathy or are misunderstanding you, having a phrase ready can help you advocate for yourself in the moment. For example, stating “Not sure I communicated clearly” or “That’s not quite it. I’m feeling/experiencing…” can allow you to make sure your concerns are heard in a clear way.
3. Understand and Research Your Symptoms or Condition
Other than searching the web for basic information about your condition, it can also benefit you to research common related tests and screenings your doctor might suggest or that you may need to request from your doctor.
Keep a symptom journal, and present a typed copy of your questions at the beginning of your appointment.
4. Question your prescriptions
Some examples of questions you may ask your provider include the following:
- Will this prescribed medication have any negative interaction with the medication(s) and/or supplement(s) I’m taking now?
- Is there an alternative or dose that decreases the side effects of this medication?
5. Bring a friend to your appointment
If you give permission to them before the appointment, they can help you advocate for yourself by asking questions and taking notes.
In the event you don’t have a trusted companion, some hospitals and medical facilities have patient advocates, also called patient navigators, available, particularly for those facing a serious or complex diagnosis.
Takeaways
Everyone deserves to be heard and respected, especially when seeking help from a medical professional. But sometimes being heard requires not only the expertise and compassionate approach of a doctor, it requires your advocacy. Research shows that advocating for yourself with your doctor, even in the form of a symptom journal, can provide practical benefits like decreasing unnecessary testing and bettering outcomes, making the time investment well worth it. So, before your next appointment, remember that small acts of advocacy can make a big difference.
