– Written by Jennifer McGregor
Being your own health care advocate is a vital part of taking control of your overall well-being. It requires valuing information and developing the courage to speak up when you feel you need help. If you want to learn more about how you can be a better advocate for yourself, consider these tips from Tranquil Therapy.
Don’t Be Afraid to Question Your Doctor
Doctors go to school for a long time to get the information they need to help people. However, they are also human beings who can make mistakes. If you think your doctor made a mistake, don’t be afraid to speak up. You can ask questions and politely disagree. You can request a referral if you think the doctor is wrong. Listen to their responses and ask for evidence to support their opinions.
Be Prepared to Discuss Your Medical Records
A surprising number of people do not realize that every visit to the doctor results in an addition to their medical records. If you submit to testing, those results come back to your clinic and become part of your medical history. However, you likely can’t interpret those results unless you are a medical professional. Talk to your doctor about what those results mean, and keep a copy of your medical records on your phone and computer at all times. You can even quickly combine videos, all your medical imagery, and test results into a single file using an online editor to combine everything.
Find a Doctor Your Trust
You can vet your doctor just like you would any other professional you hired for service. Research shows you should ask the following questions before meeting with a new doctor:
- Are you board certified?
- Are you part of a group practice?
- What is your educational background?
- Do you have any specialties?
If you have a chronic illness, vetting your doctor to ensure that have expensive experience with your condition is highly important.
Take a Friend or Family Member With You
If speaking up for yourself in a doctor’s office is not something you can get comfortable with doing, consider bringing along a friend or family member who will speak up for you. You have the right to feel comfortable with your treatment and to question your diagnosis. Ask the clinic before your appointment if you can have something come back with you. If not, consider finding a new doctor.
Be Proactive About Health
One of the most important things you can do to advocate for your health is to take preventative measures to take care of your mind and body. This includes eating a healthy diet, getting daily exercise, and practicing self-care. If you have a business work week, plan your meals on the weekend to ensure you have something healthy to eat throughout the week. If you don’t have time to work out, take the stairs rather than the elevator or go for a walk after work. Get a massage or on a mini vacation when you need a moment to collect yourself and recharge.
Being an effective health advocate for yourself means having patience. It can take a long time to develop the skills you need to analyze your medical records and speak up for yourself in a doctor’s office. The more time you invest in improving your mental and physical health, the faster you’ll get there.
