When you think of your “healthcare team,” who comes to mind? Your doctor? Nurses? Pha
rmacist? Dietician? Those are all good answers, but have you forgotten the most important member of the team??? Who is that you ask? That would be you!!
I always tell my patients that they are the “captain” of their own healthcare team. You are not only capable, but ultimately responsible, for (1) establishing your healthcare goals and (2) actively working with your providers to determine ways to reach those goals.
There can be a variety of obstacles that interfere with your ability and/or willingness to simply “follow your doctor’s orders.” You may have religious views that prohibit certain procedures. A fear of needles may prevent you from using certain medications (i.e. insulin for treatment of diabetes). Or you may prefer to try non-pharmacological approaches as an attempt to manage your disease prior to starting a new medication.
I want to empower each of you to become an active participant in your healthcare. While your providers may have suggestions for medications, procedures, etc. that they feel would be beneficial to you, you have a right to ask questions, voice concerns, and even get a 2nd opinion if you still feel unsure of something. And we as providers have both an ethical and legal obligation to honor your wishes. A good provider will listen to your concerns, and work to develop a plan of care that both of you can be comfortable with.
So keeping in line with our sports analogy, let’s set a game plan for walking in our newfound authority as captain of our healthcare team.
- Practice. Be prepared for medical appointments by writing down questions/concerns ahead of your visit. Always maintain an up-to-date list of your medications, including prescription meds, over-the-counter products, and natural supplements (i.e. vitamins, herbal products, etc).
- Huddle with the team. Ask questions during your visit. Be sure to discuss any changes since you last saw your provider such as new medications; recent illness, ER visit, or surgery; important life events such as loss of a job or loved one; any health concerns; and any health information you’ve read about on the internet, seen on TV, or heard about from friends/family.
- Call the play. What health goals do you want to achieve? How will you achieve them? With lifestyle modifications, medications, or other interventions? Set specific goals that you can reasonably achieve within a predetermined amount of time.
- Ask for a timeout. Again, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you ever feel overwhelmed with new information, repeat what you’ve heard back to the provider to ensure you’ve understood everything correctly.
- Execute the play. Follow through with the plan of care you and your provider agreed upon. If you happen to drop the ball, learn from your mistakes, pick yourself up, and try again.
- Draw support from your cheerleaders. Share your goals with family or friends who can encourage you. For example, if you have a weight loss goal, share your diet and exercise plans with him/her, and allow them to hold you accountable. They may also be able to join you at the gym, or commit to dieting with you.
- Overtime. Notify your provider if you have any questions, develop any adverse reactions to your medications, or experience complications from a surgery or other procedure. Schedule follow-up appointments for labs or other tests. If you truly find that you’re having difficulty reaching your goals, revisit them with your provider. Sometimes it’s okay to move on to plan B.
- Celebrate your wins. When you achieve your goals, do something special to celebrate. If you lost that weight, go buy a new dress. Quit smoking? Go splurge on something special. You’ve worked hard. You’ve earned it!
