Dealing with a serious illness is a stressful situation. Not only are you living with the symptoms of your ailment, you’re also trying to navigate the complexities of the health care system and follow your doctor’s orders.
Many patients take a passive approach to their health care, allowing the doctor to control the process by not asking questions and going along with treatments even if they don’t fully understand what’s happening and why. As a result, these patients end up feeling less satisfied with their care — and somewhat helpless in their time of need.
You don’t have to feel this way, though. There’s a growing movement among health care providers and patients to develop more collaborative and team-oriented methods of delivering services with the goal of improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. As the patient, you can help by becoming your own health care advocate. By speaking up for yourself and taking back some control of the health care process, you have a better chance of a full recovery and could even save some money.
Ask Questions
The most important part of being your own health care advocate is asking questions. Why is the doctor recommending a particular treatment? Are there any other options? What is the expected outcome? When you have a better understanding of the reasoning behind your doctor’s recommendations, you’re more likely to follow through with the plan and get better as a result.
If there is ever a time when you don’t understand something, such as when you are signing consent forms, you must ask questions. Doctors are experts in their fields and often make decisions or recommendations based on their specialized knowledge, forgetting patients may not share that knowledge. Ask for clarification on anything you don’t understand, and additional resources if necessary.
Most physicians are happy to answer questions and help their patients understand their treatment plans. If you feel like your doctor isn’t forthcoming with information, or dismisses your concerns, it may be time to find a different doctor who is more responsive to your concerns.
Be Prepared
One of the most common complaints among doctors are what they call the “doorknob complaints:” A patient comes in for a particular ailment, and when the doctor is on his way out the door after the visit, the patient reveals another issue he needs help with.
Not only does this cost your physician valuable time, it also prevents you from getting the best possible care as your doctor may be rushed or unprepared. To ensure the best care, come to your appointments prepared and ready to discuss all of your issues. You should also be prepared with lists of your medications, allergies and other factors that could impact your care plan.
Take Notes
When you’re sick or hurt, remembering everything your doctor says may be a challenge. Even at a routine check-up, things may move too quickly for you to retain everything you hear. And if you are in the hospital, you will probably deal with multiple providers, all of whom will give you new information. Take notes during your visits with doctors or bring someone else along to do it for you. That way, if you have questions later, you can refer to your notes or remind your provider of something that was said earlier.
Follow Up
Sometimes, advocating for yourself requires being persistent in your efforts to get answers. If you don’t get the information or resolution you’re looking for immediately, keep asking and escalate the situation if necessary. Your health is too important to leave to chance, so don’t let important issues go without appropriate resolution.
Know Your Finances
Health care is expensive. Even if you have insurance, co-payments and deductibles can take money out of your pocket, so it’s important to stay on top of your bills and know exactly what you are paying for. Ask about alternatives to expensive tests or medications (or use a card like that offered by Afford RX to cut your costs) and carefully examine every bill. Medical billers are human, and a simple typo could result in a significant increase in your bill. And don’t be afraid to ask about the cost before receiving treatment. Having an idea of the cost will help you make better-informed decisions.
Being your own health care advocate does not mean arguing with your doctor at every turn or questioning his or her every recommendation. It means taking back some of the control of your health care, and acting in your best interests and collaborating with your provider for the best possible outcomes. You owe it to yourself to speak up.
About the Author: A former patient advocate at a large hospital, Mary Connors worked with hundreds of patients to help them speak up and advocate for themselves. She now blogs about health care issues.