Health Appointment Self-Advocacy: Be an Active Participant in Your Healthcare

So imagine walking out of your healthcare appointment,  ever realized you still had questions?

Perhaps you forgot to mention a symptom. Maybe the appointment felt super rushed. It could even be your provider used medical terminology you did not understand. Laboratory results may have been given to you, but you were not sure what the numbers meant. You could have even wish to be better prepared.

This is where health appointment self-advocacy comes in. I’ve gone through my own health issues and want to share ways to ask better questions. It’s extremely important to know what is going on with your own care along with being involved.

Self-advocacy does not mean arguing with your healthcare provider. It does mean learning how to ask questions, communicate your concerns, participate in decisions, follow up when additional information is needed and understand information. There is no need to feel intimidate at any point. Knowing your health status allows for less stress and you are able to understand your needs better.

 

Your Appointment Begins Before You Arrive

Now the advice I always give is don’t try and remember everything. Often times doing so will induce an overwhelming feeling. An easy way to be more prepared is to write things down. Truly for me it helps especially when the brain fog kicks in at the most inconvenient time.

Before your appointment, identify your main concern.

Ask yourself:

• Why am I making this appointment?
• What has changed?
• When did the concern begin?
• How often does it happen (approximately amount of times per week, month or year)?
• What makes it better or worse?
• How is it affecting my daily life?
• What do I most want my provider to understand?

You do not have to remember every single detail while sitting in an examination room. It’s often a short period of time to do so.

Write it down.

A short timeline can be especially useful for your provider to get a clearer indication on how to go about treatment.

Bring Your Questions

Questions can facilitate turning a healthcare appointment into an actual conversation.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recommends asking questions such as what a test is for, when results will be available, why a treatment is needed, whether alternatives exist, and what complications or risks may be involved.

You might ask:

• What is this test checking for?
• When will I receive the results?
• What do these results mean?
• What are my treatment options?
• Are there alternatives?
• What are the benefits and risks?
• What happens if I don’t pursue the given option right now?
• When should I follow up?

You don’t have to ask every question. Start with the questions that are most important to you.

It Is Okay to Ask for Plain Language

I know first-hand Healthcare terminology is not a part of everyday conversation.

If you don’t understand something, do not be afraid to ask for a simpler explanation.

You can say:

“Can you explain that in plain language?” or “Can you explain that in simpler terms?”

It is also alright to ask the provider to write down the name of a diagnosis, medication, procedure, or test.

Understanding what you are being told can help you have a more beneficial conversation about your care.

When You Feel Like You Aren’t Being Heard

This can be frustrating. It is one thing to be ignored but even worse feeling when coming from someone who is assisting in your care.

You may feel that your concern was stated but not fully talked about.

Instead of leaving with unanswered questions, try calmly by bringing the conversation back to your concern.

You might say:

“I’m still concerned about this symptom. Can we talk about it again?”

Or:

“What should I do if this continues?”

Or:

“What are my next steps moving forward?”

The goal isn’t to create conflict.

The goal is to make sure the concern(s) discussed doesn’t disappear from the conversation.

Know Your Health Information

It may be a challenge to know your entire health history or getting records. It could be due to you being adopted or your parent don’t know their own health history. Do not allow that to discourage you.

Just acknowledge that your health information is an important part of self-advocacy.

HHS (United Sates Department of Health and Human Services) explains that, under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), individuals generally have a right to inspect and receive copies of protected health information maintained in designated record sets, subject to limited exceptions. The records can include medical information along with certain billing, claims, insurance, laboratory, and payment information.

HHS also explains that people can request corrections to information they believe is inaccurate or incomplete. If a provider or plan does not agree to the requested amendment, there is usually a process for submitting a statement of disagreement. Don’t be afraid to inquire.

You do not have to become an expert in medical records.

You need to learn how to access and understand information about your own healthcare. This makes you an active participant not just a bystander in your own health care.

Food Is Part of the Conversation

We also have to talk about food.

Food can be connected to access celebration, comfort, community, culture, family, finances, and tradition .

That means nutrition recommendations need to be discussed in the context of real life.

Instead of simply saying, “I can’t eat that,” you can ask:

• “What are some alternatives that fit the foods I normally eat?”
• “How can I adapt this recommendation to my cultural foods?”
• “What changes would make the biggest difference?”
• “Can you refer me to a registered dietitian?”

It’s important to understand your culture doesn’t have to disappear from the healthcare conversation.

Before You Leave

Before leaving your appointment, pause.

Ask yourself:

• Do I know what happens next?
• Do I know whether I need additional testing?
• Do I know when results should be available?
• Do I understand my medication instructions?
• Do I know when I should follow up?
• Do I know who to contact if I have questions?

If the answer is no, ask before leaving.

Create Your Own Health Advocacy Statement

Before your next appointment, complete these three sentences:

1. What I need my healthcare provider to understand is:
2. My biggest concern today is:
3. Before I leave, I need to understand:

These three statements can help you organize your thoughts before the conversation begins.

The Takeaway

Don’t get overwhelmed get involved and become aware. Health self-advocacy doesn’t require you to know everything.

It starts with being willing to participate.

Prepare.

Ask.

Clarify.

Document.

Follow up.

Your healthcare appointment is an opportunity to communicate what is happening, ask questions, understand your options, and participate in your care.

And sometimes the most powerful question you can ask is simply:

“Can you help me understand what happens next?”

Individual Reflection:

What is one question you wish you had asked during a previous healthcare appointment? Write it down then bring it with you to ask in your next appointment or call your provider.

Download 

FREE➡️  Health Appointment Self-Advocacy Checklist

Use the checklist before, during, and after your next appointment.

 

 

Educational information only. This article does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment. For personal medical concerns, discuss them with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. For urgent or emergency symptoms, seek appropriate emergency medical care.