Even at the best of times, speaking with a doctor about a health concern you or a loved one might be experiencing can be intimidating. Often, and regardless of how intelligent you are, the conversation feels imbalanced, with the doctor holding all of the cards and you feeling as if you are at his or her mercy. More importantly, because you feel vulnerable, you may not ask the questions you should ask or you may agree to procedures or medication that merited more careful consideration.

Getting more comfortable in having those difficult conversations with healthcare providers is a skill many of us need to develop. Below we offer five important tips to help you become a better advocate for your health and that of your loved ones.

 

1.  Maintain Your Own Health Records

A good practice you and your family ought to adopt is maintaining your own health records, which will help you to become more knowledgeable and attuned to your own health and that of your family. Also, many of us have seen a number of specialists over the years, each of who have a piece of our medical history; but there is a benefit in being able to share all of your history (as appropriate) when you are speaking with your GP or another specialist so that they have a more holistic picture of you and your health. Also, should you not be in a position to share your medical history, because you are incapacitated, your guardian may be able to do so on your behalf.

Second, past test results and notes can establish a baseline of your usual health, making it easier to confirm when there is an issue. Also, medical conditions that seemingly emerged out of nowhere may have been giving early warning signals. However, unless the signs were being tracked, conditions can develop that only become evident when they are quite advanced.

 

2.  Do Your Health Homework

We live in a time when there is so much information available at our fingertips that can be easily accessed via a Google search. Before and after a doctor’s visit, research your symptoms, the tests that can be performed, the diagnosis that has been made, medications, and the recommended treatment options.

Doing your own research has a number of advantages. First, it will help you to become more informed about the condition that needs to be treated, including the risks, side effects, long-term prognosis and implications. Second, the doctor may not do as thorough of a job as you might like in breaking down your condition – though he or she should – and so doing your own research may help to fill in those gaps. Third, if you are just getting the diagnosis, you may not have had the wherewithal to ask all of the questions that you should have. Once again doing your own research can help you fill in those gaps. Finally, having done some research, you ought to be in a better position to ask pointed questions of your physician to address particular concerns you may have.

 

3.  Go to Appointments Prepared

In order to get the most out of your doctor’s appointment, it is strongly recommended that you go prepared with the objective of sharing as much information as you can with the physician so that he or she can give you the best medical advice, and possible treatment options can be recommended faster.

It thus means that you ought to develop a certain vigilance with respect to your health: that you are aware of changes that are happening in your body, and you track them. So when you are at the doctor’s office, you would be able to share, among other things:

• What symptoms you have been experiencing, including how long and how often you have been experiencing them;
• Whether those symptoms have changed over time, or new ones have emerged;
• Your family history;
• What medications you are currently taking – both over-the-counter and prescription;
• Any medical conditions you might be currently addressing;
• Any recent illnesses or conditions.

 

4.  Do Not Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Having done some research before your appointment, you may be in a better position to prepare questions beforehand on matters that you would like clarified. Write down those questions and carry them with you to the doctor’s visit, so that you don’t forget to ask them.

Also, it is important to note that more questions might come to you after the visit, as you continue to digest your prognosis or the new information given to you in your office. So you may wish to find out whom you may contact should you have more questions before your next visit.

 

5.  Remember that the Buck Stops With You

Finally, doctors are giving you the benefit of their expertise, but you, as the patient, agree to the explanations they give and the treatment they recommend. Hence, it is vital that you:

• understand the advice that is being given,
• are aware of all of the treatment options for your condition
• are comfortable with the treatment option that is being recommended, and are aware of the risks, side effects and possible complications of the recommended treatment.

Many of us have been taught to trust doctors, and so we would not consider questioning their advice on our health. But, doctors make errors, they misdiagnose, they may give the impression that there are no other treatment options when there might be, and they pursue treatments that had their patients known better, they would never have agreed to.

The fact of the matter is that you are responsible for your health. Healthcare providers work for you, and not the other way around. However, it is crucial that you are sufficiently empowered to not be intimidated and play an active role in matters related to your health and that of your family.

 

 

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