By Justin Bennett
Being able to advocate for yourself as a patient is an important life skill. You want to have the confidence to ask questions and research options when it comes to your personal wellness and care. After all, your health is your most important asset. So today, Chris Goodbaudy Insurance shares some tips and resources to help you become your own best advocate.
Take advantage of resources to stay healthy
Advocating for your own health starts with taking care of yourself. Commit to a healthy lifestyle and take advantage of the many free resources available to help you achieve it. For example, our website can help you find an affordable insurance option that suits your family’s budget. There are also plenty of resources out there to help you improve your diet, exercise regularly, quit smoking, and drink less.
Stay on top of your health communications and documentation
While your primary care physician keeps a record of your health data, it's wise to retain your own copies too. This way, you can access your health information at any time. If you need to update your records, converting a PDF to Word is easy with this OCR software. That way, you can edit it as needed, and then convert the document back to PDF. Keep your data up-to-date by keeping up with your healthcare communications. Submit all forms efficiently, which will make it faster and easier to get appointments, obtain paperwork, and forward records to specialists.
Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions
Doctors are a valuable resource, full of health-related information. However, sometimes you have to dig for that data. Make a point of asking questions. The National Institute on Aging has some tips on what to ask your doctor during a routine checkup. For example, you might ask about medications, medical tests, and diagnoses. When it comes to medications, you may ask about side effects and what you can and can't mix the med with.
Do your research regarding alternative treatments
If you are diagnosed with a chronic condition or serious illness, be open to diverse treatment options. You don't have to adhere to the first plan of care that's offered to you. Find Me Cure helps patients discover innovative treatments that haven't yet entered the mainstream. For example, you can find and apply to take part in clinical trials for new medicines that are still in development. If currently available treatments don't work for you, a clinical trial may be a good alternative to examine.
Get practical and emotional support from others
Facing health challenges can be difficult. While it's great to be able to advocate for your own health, it's also nice to get support from others around you. If you're stressed about a medical procedure or diagnosis, you can bring a family member or trusted friend to your doctor's appointment with you. You might also want to consult support groups for patients with specific diagnoses, so you can connect with others who share your issues.
Patient advocacy can be daunting if it's new to you. It doesn't have to be intimidating. Trust the tips above for an actionable and easy approach to advocacy that won't overwhelm you. From organising your own health records to researching treatment options independently, there is a lot you can do on your own to seize control of your health.
Chris Goodbaudy Insurance is here to help you with all of your health insurance needs. Call (971) 264-9008.
Being able to advocate for yourself as a patient is an important life skill. You want to have the confidence to ask questions and research options when it comes to your personal wellness and care. After all, your health is your most important asset. So today, Chris Goodbaudy Insurance shares some tips and resources to help you become your own best advocate.
Take advantage of resources to stay healthy
Advocating for your own health starts with taking care of yourself. Commit to a healthy lifestyle and take advantage of the many free resources available to help you achieve it. For example, our website can help you find an affordable insurance option that suits your family’s budget. There are also plenty of resources out there to help you improve your diet, exercise regularly, quit smoking, and drink less.
Stay on top of your health communications and documentation
While your primary care physician keeps a record of your health data, it's wise to retain your own copies too. This way, you can access your health information at any time. If you need to update your records, converting a PDF to Word is easy with this OCR software. That way, you can edit it as needed, and then convert the document back to PDF. Keep your data up-to-date by keeping up with your healthcare communications. Submit all forms efficiently, which will make it faster and easier to get appointments, obtain paperwork, and forward records to specialists.
Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions
Doctors are a valuable resource, full of health-related information. However, sometimes you have to dig for that data. Make a point of asking questions. The National Institute on Aging has some tips on what to ask your doctor during a routine checkup. For example, you might ask about medications, medical tests, and diagnoses. When it comes to medications, you may ask about side effects and what you can and can't mix the med with.
Do your research regarding alternative treatments
If you are diagnosed with a chronic condition or serious illness, be open to diverse treatment options. You don't have to adhere to the first plan of care that's offered to you. Find Me Cure helps patients discover innovative treatments that haven't yet entered the mainstream. For example, you can find and apply to take part in clinical trials for new medicines that are still in development. If currently available treatments don't work for you, a clinical trial may be a good alternative to examine.
Get practical and emotional support from others
Facing health challenges can be difficult. While it's great to be able to advocate for your own health, it's also nice to get support from others around you. If you're stressed about a medical procedure or diagnosis, you can bring a family member or trusted friend to your doctor's appointment with you. You might also want to consult support groups for patients with specific diagnoses, so you can connect with others who share your issues.
Patient advocacy can be daunting if it's new to you. It doesn't have to be intimidating. Trust the tips above for an actionable and easy approach to advocacy that won't overwhelm you. From organising your own health records to researching treatment options independently, there is a lot you can do on your own to seize control of your health.
Chris Goodbaudy Insurance is here to help you with all of your health insurance needs. Call (971) 264-9008.
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