How to Advocate for Yourself at Your Next Doctor’s Visit

About Tori Thurmond

Tori Thurmond combines her creative writing background with her marketing experience in her role as the Content Specialist at Brookdale. When she's not writing, she's probably spending time with her two cats or knitting.

Going to the doctor’s office can be stressful. Between scheduling an appointment, completing the paperwork, finding parking and arriving early, appointments can turn into hours-long events. The last thing you want after going through the trouble of getting to the doctor’s office is to feel rushed or overwhelmed when the doctor or nurse comes in to talk about your questions or concerns.

It’s important to make sure your voice is heard. Here are some tips on how to advocate for yourself at your next doctor’s appointment and get the care you deserve.

Make a List of Topics You Want to Discuss

If you have an appointment coming up, don’t wait until the morning of the visit to start thinking about symptoms you’ve been having or concerns you want to discuss with your doctor. In the weeks or even months leading up to your visit, keep a log of topics you want to discuss with your doctor. Keep a small notepad in your pocket or purse or make a digital list on your phone if that’s easier for you. Just make sure you remember to bring this list with you to your appointment. Having a list to reference can help keep the appointment on track and ensure that you get to discuss anything you’re concerned about. Doctor’s offices are busy places, but you deserve to have your concerns addressed.

If your doctor is someone who generally only spends a few minutes in the room with you during your appointments, you can even try prioritizing your topics by order of importance. This way, if your appointment gets cut short or if a few topics take longer to address than others, you’ll get to discuss your most pressing concerns.

Take Notes

If you’re someone who remembers information best when you write it down, don’t be afraid to take notes during your appointment. Taking notes may also help you process information better so you can ask follow-up questions if you have them. A lot of information can be thrown at you at a doctor’s appointment, and it can be difficult to remember it all, especially if you’re discussing topics you’re not already familiar with. When you take notes, you’ll have them to reference when you get home to remind yourself of your doctor’s recommendations and instructions. If you opt to take notes on your phone, consider letting your practitioner know that you’re taking notes regarding what you discuss instead of texting friends or surfing the web!

If you don’t want to take any of your attention off of your one-on-one time with your doctor, you can even consider recording your appointment. Not only will you be able to listen back to the recording, but you can also listen to the recording with a loved one if you need help with your care. Just check with your physician before hitting record.

Ask for Generic Versions of Medications

Did you know that three out of ten people struggle to afford their medications? It’s no secret that medication can get expensive with or without health insurance, especially name-brand drugs. If you’ve been putting off starting a medication due to the cost, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor if there is a generic version of a medication they can prescribe you that might be more affordable. On average, the cost of generic medications is 80-85% less than their name-brand counterparts.

Additionally, doctors and nurses might be aware of medication discount websites or coupons that can help make costs more manageable. It’s important that everyone is able to get the medication they need to support their health needs, so don’t be afraid to mention your cost concerns to your physician. You might be surprised by the alternatives or solutions they are able to offer.

Ask Questions

While discussing your health or a care plan, it’s common for questions to arise; don’t be afraid to ask! If you aren’t sure what something your doctor mentions means or you have follow-up questions, it’s important that you take the limited time you have with your practitioner to gain clarity. You may be tempted to follow up with your doctor’s office by phone with your questions if your appointment is already running long or if you’ve already received an abundance of information during your appointment. However, sometimes it can be challenging to get a hold of your physician over the phone, so don’t hesitate to ask all of your questions in person when you are able to.

Bring a Loved One for Support

If going to the doctor’s office is anxiety-inducing for you or if you sometimes have trouble staying on track during your appointments, ask a close friend or family member to tag along. You can bring them solely for emotional support or you can have them take notes for you during your appointment. Prior to your appointment, you could even tell your loved one what you’re hoping to discuss with your doctor so they can remind you of topics you wanted to cover if you forget. Just make sure you’re comfortable with whoever you ask to join you. It’s important that you’re comfortable talking about sensitive personal information in front of whoever you bring with you.

There’s no shame in finding doctors’ appointments intimidating or overwhelming. Try these methods of advocating for yourself the next time you make a doctor’s appointment. You’ve got this!