The Ultimate 10-Step Guide to Be Your Own Health Advocate

#2: Prepare for Your Visits

Most doctors will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and overall health. Spend time reflecting and documenting these details before your visit because it will give your doctor the most information. When reflecting, don’t just list symptoms related to your suspected condition. Sometimes, a symptom you didn’t expect to be relevant can become relevant as your doctor narrows in on your diagnosis. Be sure to bring this information to your appointment or know it off-hand.

#3: Ask the Right Questions

Asking the right questions is crucial to being your own health advocate. When conducting online research, find out what other people with similar symptoms recommend asking the doctor. Ask as many relevant questions as possible about your diagnosis, treatment plan, prescriptions, and follow-up care. 

Good questions to ask your doctor include: 

• What is my diagnosis? What symptoms led you to make this diagnosis?
• Could it be any other condition? Are there signs I should look out for?
• What is my treatment plan? 
• Are there any long-term complications related to my diagnosis that I should be aware of?
• Are there any symptoms I should watch closely? What if something changes?
• What symptoms require immediate treatment? 
• What prescriptions are you recommending? What do they do / how do they work?
• What are the normal side effects of my prescriptions? What are abnormal side effects?
• Are there any specialists you recommend I see for a second opinion about this diagnosis? 
• Is there anything I need to change about my lifestyle, diet, or exercise? (Remember, not all doctors are qualified to provide nutrition advice, but they can refer you to a nutritionist).
• Can you explain my test results in detail? What are abnormal or normal test results?
• When should I come back in? How can I best check in with you if I have questions or concerns?

Make a list of good questions and bring them to your appointments. Be sure to write down the answers. 

#4: Get a Second Opinion

Always get a second opinion. The more significant and life-threatening your diagnosis, the more crucial it is to get a second opinion. Doctors are people just like you, so they make mistakes. These mistakes can cause long-lasting or life-threatening consequences for you and your family. 

A Mayo Clinic study found that “88 percent of patients who visited Mayo Clinic for a second opinion had their initial diagnosis changed or modified as a result of a second opinion.” A second opinion can save you pain, suffering, and medical expenses. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with an illness that requires extensive treatment, like cancer, get a second opinion before you begin treatment. Cancer is frequently misdiagnosed, and the consequences are detrimental. According to a recent study, the overall cancer misdiagnosis rate is an alarming 11%, with the rates for individual types being much higher. Lung cancer, for example, is misdiagnosed almost 23% of the time. 

Any reputable doctor will encourage you to get a second opinion, and many will refer you to a specialist if you ask.

#5: Take Notes

Taking notes during and after your healthcare visits is acceptable and encouraged. While doctors sometimes provide you with information after the appointment, they do not always. It’s a good idea to have your own records. 

Take detailed notes about: 

• Dates of important visits
• Diagnoses
• Questions you asked
• Doctor responses to your questions
• Symptoms you experienced and how you communicated them to your doctor
• Information communicated to you verbally, over the phone, or face-to-face
• Anything else that seems important

Keeping detailed notes can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s vital to advocate for your health. Take a pen and paper or your phone with you to visits and take notes during your visit. You can also set aside a few minutes after your visit to write up how the visit went, what you heard, and actions you will take next. Try to write enough to help you remember what happened later.

#6: Keep All Documents and Records

When it comes to hospital visits, keep everything. Keep and store all records in a safe place. Ask for copies of records and results if the provider did not volunteer them to you. 

Keep everything you can, including: 

• Bills
• Receipts and records of payment
• Diagnosis information
• Prescription information
• Lab results
• Anything you’ve signed, like consent or liability waivers
• Doctor notes & post-visit summaries
• Personal notes about symptoms, visits, and more
• Any communication from doctors, nurses, and health or insurance providers, like emails, mail statements, texts, etc. 
• Names and contact information of your doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers

It’s better to have more information than you need. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Would this be helpful to prove 1.) that this visit happened and 2.) what happened at this visit?” The answer is almost always yes.

#7: Understand Your Prescriptions

You should know what prescriptions you’re taking and what they do at any given time. It can be hard to remember, especially if you have several. Keep a list of all active and inactive prescriptions. Make note of any side effects you experience when taking your prescriptions in case you become the victim of a pharmacy error. 

When prescribed a new medication, ask your doctor about the side effects, how it works, and how long you need to take it. Write all of this information down, and add it to your historical list of medications. 

#8: Build a Strong Support Network

Undergoing treatment can be stressful, isolating, and scary. Many patients report feelings of depression, anxiety, and reduced sense of self.

Build a strong support network if you’re undergoing treatment or experiencing a health challenge. Make sure you have a reliable network of people you can trust and lean on for help. Family, friends, and community can help you maintain normalcy and hope.

#9: Know Your Rights and Act Fast

Sometimes, things won’t go as planned, regardless of what you do. Unfortunately, there are several factors outside of your control. While advocating for your health can empower you to understand your conditions and treatment plans, it cannot prevent negligence or medical malpractice.

Remember, you have rights, and you are not responsible for the negligence of others. If you experience complications at the hands of medical providers, you may have a case for medical malpractice. In Indiana, the statute of limitations begins at the time of the malpractice and expires in two years.