We’ve talked a great deal about advocacy in this blog and encouraged you to get involved in supporting vision health issues or other causes about which you care deeply. We’d be remiss in not touching on perhaps the most important subject of your advocacy efforts: you.
Research shows that when people are actively involved in their health care, they achieve better outcomes and experience increased satisfaction. In our current health-care environment where physician schedules are full, the cost of care is rising, and facilities are overburdened, it is essential for those who are facing chronic or serious illness to become their own advocates. The consequences of not doing so could be devastating.
In recognition of the changing face of health-care, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (a division of the Department of Health and Human Services) has launched an initiative to encourage consumers to be more involved in their health care in order to improve treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. The agency offers consumers valuable information and tools to guide them on their way to becoming their own advocates in the health-care setting. This site will help you prepare in advance for medical visits, understand frequently used medical terms, and follow up effectively after returning home.
In their Guide to Being Your Own Health Advocate, the popular consumer-health website WebMD recommends following an ABC mnemonic to optimize health-care appointments:
- Ask questions, particularly if you don’t understand something a provider tells you
- Be prepared by bringing a list of your most importance concerns to each appointment
- Communicate concerns and desires clearly and without hesitation to achieve the outcomes you desire
Whether you are newly diagnosed or well along your journey of chronic or serious illness, support is available from multiple sources to help you successfully navigate the health-care system. Engage a trusted friend or family member in your efforts to become your own advocate and don’t hesitate to request assistance from your health-care team.
What have you learned from your experiences with managing your health care? Share your suggestions and advocacy resources with us here.