How to be Your Own Advocate in the World of Medicine
by Alison Kain
In my life I have been one who has experienced serious acute and chronic illness. I even have had three near-death experiences. Through the long journey of recovery I have undergone numerous types of treatments. As a direct result of my foray into the wild world of medicine in pursuit of healing and wellness, I have learned much about dealing with the practicum of western and eastern medicine as well as holistic and alternative/complementary services. The key, in my experience, to maneuver effectively through the sometimes oppressive, slow and occasionally confusing world of being a patient or client is, as it is in any endeavor we undertake, to know thyself and stand firm in said knowledge. Know your rights.
At times one may encounter seemingly dictator-like doctors or practitioners who can be both frightening and cowing. Dealing with them effectively can be a tricky affair unless you are well prepared in advance to meet with these well-educated souls. (Let us not forget that it is crucial to trust our instincts, too!) Please remember that the doctors and practitioners work for you. Do not give into fear of them, their potentially superior knowledge, or your fears of what may be discovered during the course of a visit. You need you to be on your side, to speak your case with clarity and thoroughness, because if not you then who will? No one knows you better than yourself. Be your own advocate.
While it is likely true that you may not be either a trained medical doctor or a holistic certified practitioner, you do still possess wisdom within you to know when something is not right or “off”; obvious or not to the casual observer. Our bodies possess natural wisdom and communicate with us constantly if we are smart enough to learn how to listen and interpret their “language”. At times, particularly when we’re unwell, we can tend to relinquish control of our beings to the medical professionals, ultimately forgetting that we still have the wisdom within to help us better navigate the sometimes choppy waters back to wholeness. The journey is ours to traverse and the doctors and practitioners are guides.
We (particularly here in the US) have been trained to view doctors on par with “gods” at times, thus we may withhold our questions or simply assume they are correct in their assessment/s of us never questioning them about why we are taking something they prescribe or seeking to understand their diagnosis/diagnoses because of this fact. This is an error in my humble opinion. Remember, please, that doctors and practitioners are no different than you or I insomuch as they are still very human even though they may be highly specialized and are well-educated. They, like all of us, have days which are good and bad, experience periodic problems at home, have potential addictions, get a lack of sleep, etc… We must remember when we meet with our practitioners and physicians that we are merely two humans speaking with respect in regard to our body and our health; it is imperative we understand what is being relayed to us and why. I do not suggest this (that doctors and holistic practitioners make errors or are fallible) to instill fear, rather the opposite; I suggest this so that you may find freedom in the understanding of our mutual humanity which takes away the sense that these souls are somehow greater than we. We are no less or no more deserving of receiving the same level of respect that we give unto them.
It is good, nay important, to know that your physician or practitioner possesses wisdom, compassion, excellent communication skills, intelligence, practices diligence and is deemed well-educated and versed in their field of specialty. Check on their background and choose your doctors and/or practitioners with care and deliberation before you see them.
As I mentioned earlier, your body holds a great deal of wisdom and has a “voice” which is in near constant to completely constant communication with your subconscious and your mind. Sometimes pain is the “voice” which tells you there is an issue while at others the message may be delivered in a more subtle or quiet manner, but is, however, still present. The “voice” may be a nagging feeling or a lingering sense of something being amiss or the presentation of the message may sound as if a scream is ripping through you. Regardless of the presentation of the message your body delivers it is crucial to heed the signs and signals presented to you.
One way in which to learn how to interpret and “hear” your body’s message/s is if you can sit quietly in contemplative meditation posing questions to your body. Really feel the way your body responds. Often, your body will tighten at a “lie” and relax at a “truism” even if there is fear in the pit of your stomach present. One should, however, allow for time between questions in order for the vessel (e.g. your body) to clear the former responses to avoid overlapping answers.
All too often we ignore our body’s “voice” until what may initially be a small or correctable problem becomes something far greater than we could imagine or believe. Illness almost always comes as a surprise to us when it is critical or potentially dire in nature. If we had not been afraid of the quiet, tugging inward “voice” and what “it” had to offer us, we would have been much better off in all likelihood but even this is not necessarily a death sentence, but a more severe warning to pay heed to our internal “voices”; they exist for a reason.
This article, for the record, is not intended as an indictment of medical treatment, merely a GPS as to how to get the best care possible for the self in a difficult and often convoluted system. It, like all things, is but one view as a possible guide to facilitate what can be a difficult process.
How does one become an informed advocate for the self?
- Take thorough notes about your symptoms with you when you attend your appointment so that you do not forget them when you are present with a physician or a practitioner. You may present the listing to your physician or practitioner when they enter the room.
- Prepare in advance a complete list of questions or concerns you have for the treating (or diagnosing) physician or practitioner. This allows you to feel more relaxed as you engage in the session and to pay better attention. Note: Western medicine has made it increasingly difficult for even the best of doctors to spend the appropriate amount of time with you thus remembering to have your questions prepared in advance will give you the leeway to know you will have posed all that you wish to be addressed during the session.
- In order to ensure you capture all that was relayed to you during a session you may wish to bring a tape recorder for your own purposes to listen to after an appointment when you are more relaxed or wish clarification; our memories can alter what is actually shared. If you do not have access to a tape recorder than take short yet concise, easily understandable notes while with the doctor. The tape or notes can serve to allay confusion. Note: Please let the doctor or practitioner know you wish to record the session with their permission. Should you find yourself in a place of potential litigation with either a physician or a holistic practitioner, this tape is generally not admissible as evidence.
- If you are confused or concerned by something shared with you by the practitioner or doctor, ask questions until you feel satisfied.
- In larger urban areas there is the issue of lack of communication between providers/specialists to contend with at times. In order to prevent repeated treatment for the same issue, or conflicting treatments, question your doctor or practitioner as to whether they have the most updated information/report regarding the reason you are seeing them. If they do not, request that they get that information immediately. Your primary care physician (General Internist or Family Practitioner) is meant to be the figurative central repository for information relative to your health care and status. Always double-check that this person has the most up-to-date information available to them and that they make that same information available to any specialist you are referred to by them.
- Study up (do research) on what is shared with you in an appointment whether in regard to a diagnosis or a potential method of treatment; the Net works well for this. You may wish to have more than one confirming source of information. I actually prefer at least three credible sources before I consider what is being relayed to me as possible truth. As always, use a discerning eye when researching remembering the Net has both great information available and a wealth of misinformation or disinformation, too.
- If you are one who is afraid, bring someone trustworthy along with you if possible. They can support you and speak on your behalf if necessary.
- Respectfully remind the physician or practitioner that you are the one who lives in your body and thus you know your normal states versus that which is abnormal for you despite charts or data which exist. Each body is different and the statistics are based upon a mean average of random sampling. You are the one who must live with the consequences of the treatment and/or diagnosis, not the doctor or practitioner. This does not suggest that you are to dismiss what is shared with you, but it is important that you are heard and understood.
- Always check with a pharmacist before taking a medication even in regard to some herbal remedies. Pharmacists, however, will not (cannot?) give you “official” advice on natural substances though they will often address questions relative to those herbs or tinctures which are FDA approved. If you prefer a natural remedy, please ensure you either seek out a qualified homeopathist, naturopathist and/or herbalist who can speak clearly, concisely and thoroughly in regard to whatever substance you are contemplating taking. Inquire about possible side-effects and whether there is information on the possible mixing of any natural substances you take along with pharmaceuticals, etc…
- Do not allow yourself to be disrespected nor act in a way that is disrespectful to the one treating you.
You have options. If you dislike what you hear from one professional you may likely petition for a new physician or seek a new practitioner. Even with certain insurance constrictions and regulations an alternative is usually an option. Please check with your insurance policy and/or company to find out how to make this happen if you find it necessary.
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May we all be well and know our rights as individuals receiving care.
