Sage Advice: 12 Steps to Becoming Your Own Best Health Care Advocate

The quality of your interactions with your health care professionals can greatly impact the quality of your health care experience. Being pro-active in improving communication with your physician is key to good self-advocacy.

Here are several steps which can help improve communication with health care professionals and your doctor:

1. Learn the best times of day to make calls. Ask the office staff how calls are handled. Is it possible to reach the doctor on certain days or certain hours? Does the doctor prefer to call back after hours?

2. Leave more than one phone number. Provide your home phone, cell phone and work number if you are willing and available to take calls at any of these numbers. Indicate which phone number is preferred.

3. Provide up-to-date insurance information if you have a new policy or if your coverage has changed.

4. When talking about symptoms, be specific. Paint a full picture with details. Rather than saying "my left foot sometimes" be specific about when, where, and how much pain you experience.  Example: "I get sharp pain in the sole of my left foot every morning when I first get out of bed but once I walk on it for ten or so minutes, then it is just a dull ache."

5. Provide a list of all medications you currently take. Be sure to include the dose, frequency and name of each medication as well as the time of day when you take each medication.

6. Provide a listing of any and all over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal products,  supplements or nutritional products which you use.

7. Keep your emergency contact information updated. If you have a health proxy, be sure to have a copy of this document on file with your doctor's office.

8. Submit a listing of all physicians you see either on a regular or consulting basis.

9. If you are seeing a new doctor, bring a summary of your medical history including any conditions for which you are or have been treated; diagnoses; prior hospitalizatons or surgeries, etc.

10. Invite a trusted family member of friend to accompany you to appointments. Having another person in the room can prove to be immensely helpful especially when hearing about treatment options, planning for surgeries or other health-related procedures.

11. Prepare a list of questions regarding health concerns prior to your visit. Briing the list with you and be sure to check to see if your questions have been addressed before ending your visit.

12. Shake your doctor's hand and say "thank you".  Health care appointments can often seem too rushed and too impersonal. Take a few seconds to show a bit of appreciation and to personalize the visit. 

In summary: Becoming a good self-advocate starts with strong communication skills. And remember: Good communication involves an open and honest exchange with as much listening as sharing one's own feelings and views.