How to Advocate for Yourself at Medical Appointments

With their clinical nature and impersonal feel, doctors’ offices can evoke feelings of dread, worry, and detachment. Learning to speak up and take an active role in your medical appointments can help you feel that you are in collaboration with your provider. Through self-advocacy, you can develop a sense of safety rather than of danger in a medical setting. Here are seven helpful tips for taking an active role in your medical treatment and advocating for yourself.

1. Ask questions. Confucius reminds us that “he who asks a question is a fool for a minute; he who does not ask is a fool for life.” While asking for clarification might cause us to feel momentarily vulnerable or uncomfortable, it is, in the long run, helpful in attaining a complete understanding of our health status and treatment. When it comes to understanding your health, there are no silly questions.
2. Take notes. Do not be hesitant to write down what your doctor is saying and to take notes. It is common to leave medical appointments feeling overwhelmed by the information and having difficulty remembering everything that was said or recommended. Whether you bring along a notepad or use a notetaking app on your cell phone, jotting down important information is a way to feel you have a clear understanding of your health.
3. Bring a supportive person. If you feel you might miss important information or forget to ask questions, it is acceptable to bring along a trusted person to support you and to ask additional questions or take notes for you. You may also elect to sign a consent form allowing your medical provider to share pertinent treatment information with another trusted party such as a spouse or family member. Further, bringing a person you trust can help you feel less anxious and more supported.
4. Request clear follow-up information. At the conclusion of your appointment, be sure you have a clear understanding of what you are expected to do next, whether that entails follow-up tests or future appointments. If the office does not provide one, you have the right to request a printout or follow-up email outlining information regarding your next steps. This can help you feel you can stay cognizant of your health.
5. Understand your rights to your personal medical information. All patients are entitled to their personal health information (PHI). This includes medical and clinical notes from your visits and all treatment and diagnostic information and documentation. Keep in mind that you are permitted to request any and all of your PHI from any of your medical or mental health providers and that your providers have an ethical and legal responsibility to provide it to you at your request. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, your PHI is considered protected information that only you and your provider have access to unless you consent for it to be shared with another party.
6. Ensure that your provider understands your mental health. If you are anxious or struggle with depression or other mental health problems, make sure that your medical provider is aware of your concerns and of any other professionals you see or medications you take. A simple comment like “I wanted to let you know that I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder” or “I wanted to share with you that I sometimes experience anxiety at these types of appointments” can help your doctor understand the best way to treat you and to communicate medical information without causing you further anxiety.
7. Build a “care team.” Having a team of medical providers with your consent to communicate with one another can ensure that you feel supported and that all your concerns are being addressed by the appropriate professionals. This care team can include medical professionals, physical and occupational therapists, mental health professionals such as psychotherapists and psychiatrists, caseworkers, and others.