How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor’s Office
Have you ever been to the doctor with an idea of what may be going on with you, but when you run it by your doctor, they seem to brush you off? Or they run labs, and when your numbers fall within a very wide range, you are told everything is fine?
Listen, it’s no secret that our healthcare system is overloaded AND our medical professionals are just plain exhausted and overworked. It’s also no secret that insurance plays a part in the diagnosis and treatment options that doctors recommend. Most doctors truly do have our best interests at heart, but at the end of the day, they are only human and can make mistakes just like the rest of us.
Check out these FIVE ways to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office.
Feel free to shop for the right doctor. Not every doctor is going to be the right fit for you. Just like in everyday life, there are people you “click with” and people you just don’t. Find what type of doctor YOU like - and that is different for everyone! Some prefer one who does more listening than talking. Others prefer a doctor who explains every detail of a diagnosis or treatment plan. I like one who is right in between! Remember, they work for YOU, not the other way around, so it’s okay to shop around for the right fit. Visit their websites, read reviews, and even ask around to friends and family - someone else may have a doctor they LOVE and recommend! There is no need to settle for treatment you are unhappy with.
Do your research ahead of time and bring notes. No, I don’t mean finding a random article from 2007 in the depths of the internet with outdated or biased information. Look at real research and literature, or at least trusted, educated websites such as Mayo Clinic, the CDC, or something similar. WebMD mayyyyy or may not be your friend in this case!!! It is perfectly okay to take notes and bring these educated concerns to your doctor. If you find yourself in a situation where you get in front of the doctor and BLANK on all of your issues or concerns, having these notes will save the day!
Listen to your body. YOU know yourself better than anyone on this planet. Don’t worry about being a “difficult patient” - remember, like I said, THEY work for YOU! They get paid the big bucks, so no need to be shy or timid about what’s going on!
If something is wrong, and you feel as though you are not being heard, CHALLENGE the doctor on it! Ask them why they believe what they do. They may have a valid reason for feeling that way! If you feel in your gut that they are incorrect, request proper testing, labs, or treatment options. If they tell you it is unnecessary to explore other avenues or options, ask them to document in your chart that you requested something and they refused. Get a second opinion if you wish.
When you request labs, ask for a full panel. For example, if you are asking for them to test your thyroid, ask for a FULL thyroid panel. Many doctors simply look at TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), and if it falls within a certain (wide) range of “normal”, they tend to dismiss that there is a problem without another thought. However, there is so much more to the picture! Testing free T3, free T4, thyroid antibodies, and depending on the severity, sometimes more than that can give you a fuller picture of what might be going on behind the scenes. Also, remember that “normal” does not always mean “optimal.” Just because a number falls within a normal range does NOT mean that it is optimal for you based on your age, gender, race, or what your treatment goals are. Doctors are simply looking to rule out disease, not necessarily to get you to YOUR most optimal levels.
Remember, MOST doctors and medical staff are NOT the bad guys. Quite the opposite - most of them are the good guys that have your best interests at heart! However, they are BUSY, and it’s easy to feel overlooked.
I hope this helps you find the perfect fit with ALL of your medical professionals - general practitioners, OBGYNs, chiropractors, specialists, dentists, ophthalmologists, WHATEVER doctor you are seeing!
xxx,
Coach Maddie
