Be Your Own Health Care Quarterback
Article Overview
Articles within this series
- Overview
- Prepare for Emergencies
Here are several questions to consider asking your health care provider:
- What is my (or my child’s) diagnosis?
- How certain are you that your diagnosis is correct?
- Could this be any other disease or condition besides the one being considered?
- What are the possible causes of my (or my child’s) condition?
- What other symptoms might be expected or are usually seen?
- What tests or assessments are recommended for me (or my child)? What will they cost? Will they be covered by my insurance?
- Where can I learn more about this disorder? Are there any books or Internet sites you recommend? Do you have patient-education materials that you can give me?
- Do you have other patients with the same condition who will share with me what they’ve learned and experienced?
If your appointment time with your health care provider is brief, reschedule a longer appointment to discuss your concerns. Bring a list of your questions along with your spouse or a trusted friend who will listen and take notes.
Double-check everything you hear and learn. If it’s the truth, you’ll be able to find documentation from several sources. If the sources conflict, ask your personal physician to help you sort out the contradictions.
G = Get the facts.
U = Understand the different layers of health care.
E = Explore treatment options.
S = Seek wise spiritual counsel.
T = Take a personal inventory.
The Different Layers of Health Care
Primary care. Family physicians, pediatricians and general internists are trained to diagnose and treat more than 90 percent of the problems you may have. For the conditions they can’t treat, they should be happy to help you receive whatever specialty care you may need. For most patients, the best choice for a health care coach and advocate will be a primary care physician.
Secondary care. Specialists are usually highly trained to care for a single organ system in their area of expertise. For example, cardiologists care for problems of the heart and blood vessels, and neurologists care for problems of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. For some patients, because of their type of problem, the best choice for a health care coach or advocate is a specialist.
Tertiary care. For those problems that occur rarely or for treatments that are new, a person is best treated in the large medical centers usually associated with medical schools, research centers or residency training programs. These centers conduct research and are usually up-to-date with the newest treatments, as well as any experimental treatments.
Explore Treatment Options
In a Parade Magazine article, Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the Cornell Medical Center described what is happening in health care in the United States:
The truth is, medical care is rationed in this country. Physicians are spending less time with their patients. Many now work for insurance companies or managed care providers who have the last word on what tests or treatments they’ll pay for. You may not even be told that there are better options than what you’ve been offered. So now, more than ever, you’re essentially on your own when it comes to protecting your health and well-being.
I am not saying that you must become an expert to have any hope of receiving proper medical attention. What I’m saying is this: When you actively participate in your family’s care — in partnership with a physician who encourages such teamwork — you are operating according to the best model of medicine, the one most likely to result in good health.
Whenever possible, get all the information you can from your doctor about the risks, benefits and costs of each treatment option he may recommend. Ask each health care expert you see, “What are all the potential treatments available to me, and how do you suggest we analyze them to come up with the best treatment option?” Ask how your (or your child’s) condition can be expected to progress with treatment — and without treatment.
Many providers aren’t used to caring for people who are their own health care quarterbacks. Some may seem bothered or not have time for these discussions. If your doctor is reluctant to answer all your questions and let you make the final decision, you may need to change doctors.
You may be thinking, But my HMO won’t allow me to change doctors more than once a year. I’m stuck! Fortunately, that’s not true if you’re dissatisfied with your doctor. Just call the insurance company or HMO and explain your problem –– and why you need to change doctors. Most companies are not only understanding but also quite helpful to patients in these situations.
It never hurts to get more than one opinion about the best course of treatment for your (or your child’s) specific problem. It’s your right to have the information you need to make a wise decision.
Seek Wise Spiritual Counsel
Spiritual guidance and counsel, especially if you or a family member is facing a life-threatening situation, is a critical component of your health care team approach. If your church congregation has elders, make an appointment to see them. They are often able to give you wise counsel, recommend the names of others who have experienced the same problem, and pray with you and your family.
If your church does not have elders, schedule a visit with a trustworthy pastoral professional. Or ask friends to recommend a member of the clergy whom you might visit.
If you’re not active in a church but desire spiritual guidance, consider calling your local hospital to see if there’s a chaplain on staff. Hospital chaplains will pray with you and encourage you as you seek wisdom to make the best possible decision.
Round Out Your Spiritual Wheel
It’s virtually impossible to become a highly healthy person without a balanced spiritual wheel. If your spiritual wheel is on the flat side — and up to this point you’ve done nothing about it — now’s the time. Make a decision today to talk to a friend, neighbor or colleague who seems to have a balanced spiritual wheel. If you don’t know anyone like this, call a member of the local clergy. Ask for an appointment to talk about your spiritual needs. There’s no wiser decision than to invite the One who created you and designed you into your life.
Keep Records
Begin a personal inventory — in writing — about your (or your child’s) health care needs. Buy a notebook or a small book with blank pages, and take some quiet time each day to think, meditate, pray and journal. Don’t just record the facts you’re discovering. Record what others tell you as well. Journal how you feel about your (or your child’s) physical and emotional challenges.
Carefully consider what your own intuition is telling you about your (or your child’s) medical problems. Stay honest. This journal is for no one’s eyes but yours. Write about the support you feel you need, both now and throughout the course of treatment. Write out your prayers, and spend time listening to the answers that come through the wise guidance of others –– and through the circumstances that take place. Be sure to record all the answers to your prayers.
Take five minutes every morning or evening to think about your personal inventory, any decisions you’re struggling with or any steps you intend to take to improve your (or your child’s) health. Write down all your thoughts in a brainstorming session. Don’t hold anything back. Just write — for five minutes.
Then, after two weeks of journaling, reread what you have written down for each day. See if there’s a pattern that may suggest a different approach or solution to something that’s been bothering you.