Figuring out how to get intelligent, informed care, in a system which has become increasingly digitized, is no easy task. But being a passive healthcare consumer does not bode well, either. That’s why taking a proactive stance on your health is the best way to stay engaged—and informed.
Enter health self-advocacy, the ability to represent yourself when managing your care in the healthcare system. It means not only speaking up when necessary but learning about your health and your healthcare. If you feel something is wrong or your concerns are not being addressed, be assertive in how you communicate your needs and preferences. Have enough appropriate information that you rely on your ability to trust your instincts.
Here a few key things to keep in mind on the road to becoming your own best advocate.
Navigating Healthcare: How to Advocate for Yourself
Come prepared
Before you meet with your provider, do some research about age-relevant concerns, common health issues and
how to maintain good health for the phase of life you are in. Having a grasp on medical terminology and basic principles of healthcare empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.
Try: The more specific you can be about your health concerns, the better. Bring your documents with you to doctor’s appointments, along with planning your questions in advance.
Don't hesitate to ask questions during appointments. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your diagnosis, medications and possible interactions, treatment options, potential side effects and prognosis. Clear communication with your healthcare provider is a critical aspect of effective care.
Health and digital literacy
Digital literacy is increasingly mandatory for a successful healthcare experience. Knowing how to make the best use of your insurance, work with in-network providers, pay bills, schedule appointments and access medical records is tricky. But it’s also essential.
Try: Finding
health coaches, patient navigators (also known as community health workers), lay support groups and health navigators through religious affiliations to help you orient to the digital landscape can be very helpful.
Build a relationship with your healthcare provider
Establish a partnership with a trusted healthcare provider who listens to your concerns, respects your input and involves you in decision-making about your health. The communication piece lays the foundation of trust between you and your doctor, helps the clear exchange of information and supports making informed decisions that you will feel motivated to adhere to.
You will also need to be open and honest about your health, resisting the temptation to hide pertinent information like dietary habits, alcohol consumption and other intimate disclosures. Don’t assume anything you’ve experienced is unimportant.
Try: Seek out cultural competency. There is a growing movement amongst healthcare networks to train their doctors in cultural competency. Don’t settle for a doctor dismissive of cultural differences; seek out a doctor who can treat differences as strengths that can be leveraged to design an effective treatment plan. If you can’t find a doctor who understands your cultural background, you can at least expect cultural humility. Cultural humility, a more recent term, means understanding the complex nature of identity—where we as humans are similar and where there is difference.
Get a second opinion
For significant diagnoses or treatment plans, consider seeking a second opinion from another healthcare professional. This often provides reassurance or an alternative perspective on your health management.
Try: In addition to seeing a medical professional, you can also seek advice or help from a family member or friend who works in health care, or from others who have a similar health condition as you.
Beware of health misinformation
According to
an article in The New York Times, “the same kinds of conspiracy theories that helped to fuel vaccine hesitancy during the Covid-19 pandemic are now undermining trust in vaccines against other diseases, including measles, as more people have lost confidence in public health experts and institutions.”
Add to that the influx of artificial intelligence permeating the internet, which makes it even harder for people to discriminate between truth and falsehood online. Beware of unsubstantiated health hacks, cures and quick fixes.
Try: Seek information from reputable sources such as medical journals, government health websites and trusted healthcare organizations. Validate it with your doctor, with local public health agencies, and with longer-term trusted resources, for accurate health information.
Be engaged in your care
Take an active role in decisions about your health by participating in treatment planning and adhering to recommended therapies. Follow up with healthcare providers as needed and stay on top of managing your health.
Try: Take proactive measures to maintain good health, such as
regular exercise, a balanced diet,
adequate sleep,
stress management and screenings for early detection of potential health problems.
While becoming your own health advocate requires you to do your homework, the payoff is being empowered, engaged, and invested in your well-being. And that’s no small thing.
