5 Quick Tips for Being Your Own Advocate
Finding a diagnosis can be challenging, time consuming and exhausting. On top of that, advocating for yourself at your appointments can feel intimidating. How do I convince my doctor that this pain I’m feeling is real and relevant? How do I get all my questions answered in the short amount of time I have with the doctor? What do I need to do to feel like I made some progress on finding my diagnosis? All of these questions are important and need to be addressed, which can make our time at the appointment stressful. Practicing ways to be an advocate for yourself at the doctor’s can help ease that stress so that each appointment can bring you one step closer to an answer. Here are some quick tips to help you feel confident in your ability to self-advocate at your next appointment.
1. Come prepared
One of the best ways to be an advocate for yourself is to come prepared. Bring a set list of questions that have been on your mind. If you’ve been keeping track of your symptoms, bring that journal to the appointment. You can help yourself by providing the care provider with as much information about your possible condition!
Bonus tip: Any questions you may have can be put into the Chronius Health Summary that is sent to your doctor before your appointment!
2. Prioritize questions and concerns
You might feel like you have a lot of concerns or questions that have been on your mind. That is totally normal! However, since the average time a doctor has per appointment is just 15 minutes, it might be difficult to get to every concern. It would be helpful to pick 1-2 things that must be addressed in your appointment right away. After those first priorities are addressed, then you can go down the list of other questions and concerns you may have.
Bonus tip: Take a look at your Chronius symptom journal before your appointment to see what major symptoms have been consistently present. Mark that down as one of your first priorities!
3. Bring someone you trust with you
Having someone that you trust and that you know will advocate for you can be extremely helpful, especially when you may not know the doctor very well. They can help you remember relevant information about your condition, ask questions that you may not have thought of, or just be a calming presence in the appointment room. Never hesitate to reach out to bring someone along this journey.
4. Ask for your requests to be documented in your chart
If you voice a specific concern or request for a test that might lead to a diagnosis but the doctor does not agree the diagnostic testing or bloodwork is called for, you can politely ask them to note in your chart or appointment notes that you made this request. It is important to document these interactions.
5. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion
Maybe an appointment with a certain doctor left you with more questions than answers, and you feel as though you and this one doctor are stuck. To be a better advocate for yourself can mean finding another doctor that can bring forth a second opinion. Each doctor brings a different perspective that can increase your knowledge on your condition, and hopefully bring you closer to a diagnosis. Understanding your power in seeking more knowledge and help can be a great tool.
Bonus tip: Look up specialists in your area that have done research or have clinical experience in the specific condition you think you may have.
How Chronius Can Help
If living with chronic illness feels like a full time job, you aren’t alone.
That’s why at Chronius, we make it easy to navigate the healthcare system as a patient. Our online care management platform brings together all of your health records and offers a 1-click appointment prep tool that easily synthesizes your health story for your care team. You also can track all of your symptoms, identify trends, learn from vetted medical information, and follow a custom patient journey map. Plus, if you needs hands on support, our Care Advocates are available to help you with any issues you may hit up against. Personalized support as you navigate your care journey is what we are all about.
Interested in learning more and signing up for our waitlist? Claim your spot today.
