Advocating for yourself is a vital life skill, in relationships, at work, and especially when it comes to your medical care. However, it can be difficult and scary, particularly when you’re not feeling well or are experiencing symptoms that are new to you. There are some strategies that may make self-advocacy less intimidating and help you receive the best possible care.
Go with Purpose
When making an appointment, know what exactly is bringing you in -- whether it’s a general check up or a specific health concern. If you’re bringing a specific concern to the table, ensure that neither you or your doctor deviate from the issue until you feel it’s been resolved, and any of your questions have been answered.
Keep you own Records
In a perfect world, your medical records would never contain mistakes, would be easy to understand, and your bills would make perfect sense. Until then, we live in a digital world and you can keep your own records to mitigate errors, make it easier to change providers, and ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
Keeping your own records is also a good way to show to your medical team that you’re invested in your own care. It shouldn’t be necessary, but it does go a long way in holding your doctors accountable. It can also help you to be vigilant with your medical bills, which can save you money in the long run (hint: ask for itemized medical bills. You will be surprised at how many unnecessary or negotiable costs sneak their way into a bill many people pay blindly.)
Do your research and Ask Questions
Particularly if you have a chronic illness or previous diagnosis, arming yourself with as much information as possible can help you to ask the right questions and get the right care. Don’t be afraid to ask your medical team questions either from your own research, previous test results, or even just your gut intuition about certain concerns. Maintain a positive doctor-patient relationship when possible, but don’t shy away from changing providers if you’re feeling constantly belittled, dismissed, or ignored.
Your medical team is there to help give you the best care possible, and that includes addressing your health concerns and answering your questions -- from those that feel valid to those that feel silly. If it helps, write down your questions before your appointment, and feel free to take your own notes of whatever answers you receive. Sometimes, in an anxious situation we can forget even the information that sticks out to us in the moment.
You should also research exactly what your insurance will and will not cover -- and make sure you get solid answers, even if persistence and direct questions are what it takes. This can save you from wild out of pocket costs that your insurance would otherwise have covered.
Need extra support?
Patient Advocacy groups can be found by doing a simple online search into groups specializing in work with your condition, or by viewing the overview and compilation of some of the more expansive groups here.
In desperate situations, there are often hospital based patient advocates. While these people are typically part of the American Hospital Association, and often hold an allegiance to the hospital that employs them rather than the patient themselves -- they can still assist in matters such as explaining the cost breakdown of a hospital bill, or organizing transport to and from treatments.
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