How advocating for yourself can help you get the healthcare you want and need

When it comes to your health, advocating for yourself isn’t always easy. For Inform, Niamh Sullivan shares some advice for how you can speak up and get what you want and need.

I was always a people-pleaser. I said yes if I wanted to and I said yes if I didn’t want to and yes if I didn’t know how else to answer. Which is to say, it didn’t take much for me to sit quietly and nod while the frog in my throat was begging me to say otherwise. To speak up. To question what I was being told and to ask for more. I’d fluster at the thought of causing a fuss, feeling that I had no reason to question what I was being told.

That was until I landed myself in hospital, facing a diagnosis that would irreversibly change the course of my life. I sat in the emergency department on that very first night and watched as doctors, nurses, specialists, counsellors, surgeons and physiotherapists all poured in and out of my room. While each person wore a different badge and came in different coloured scrubs, there was one thing they shared in common: they were all there to see me, yet most of the time they weren’t actually speaking to me. They were speaking around me, above me, beside me, about me and across me. It didn’t feel like a conversation. So, I didn’t feel like I could have my say.

Speaking up is my superpower

But speaking up, I’ve come to understand, may well be my superpower. I’ve learnt that being your own advocate is sometimes the only way to get what you want and what you need. Because if you don’t stand up for yourself, then who will? Speaking up can be surprisingly calming too. If I’m anxious, stressed, sad or nervous during an appointment, sometimes it only takes one question to ease my mind and give me something more productive to focus on.

You won’t always feel this way with your health professionals, but you can always advocate for yourself. Here are my top four tips for speaking up in the doctor’s room:

Make a list

Why are you going to this appointment? Do you have specific concerns? Have your symptoms changed recently? Taking a moment to ask yourself these questions will help you figure out your goal for the appointment. And ensure you’re sharing all the right information with your doctor. Don’t just think about it though. Write it down! Whether it’s in the notes section of your phone or pen and paper, having a physical list is a super simple way to ensure your appointment is productive.

Arrive early

Doctors may have a reputation for running late, but that doesn’t mean you need to do the same! I aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before any appointment, especially if it’s my first consultation. This allows enough time to fill out any paperwork and have vital signs taken before going in. And it means you’re prepared if anything goes wrong on the way there. Knowing you have that extra time up your sleeve will give you the peace of mind to go into your consultation feeling calm and prepared.

Be honest and assertive

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the mumbo-jumbo of medical jargon – we’ve all been there! If you find yourself confused, let your doctor know. Sometimes health professionals forget we don’t have the same background knowledge as them. So, asking for something to be explained or for further detail is a great way to get your head around everything. When you do speak up, there is no need to apologise either. Be confident and remember that the only silly questions are the ones you don’t ask.

Ask what’s next?

One of the key lessons I’ve learnt during my time in the doctor’s consulting room is always to ask what’s next? Think about: When should you book in for your next appointment? Is there anything you can do to improve your symptoms? What should you do if your symptoms get worse? Or better? Or stay the same? These are simple questions to ask but they’re critical for you to walk away feeling like you’re in control of your own health.

Niamh Sullivan is a 22-year-old ocean loving and solar powered storyteller. When she’s not chasing her latest yarn as a TV reporter, you’ll find her attempting to catch waves on her malibu or planning her next backpacking adventure.

Don’t take it personally if Niamh forgets your name or stands you up in a coffee shop, two years of chemotherapy treatment and time spent in a coma means her memory is worse than a goldfish. This brain injury may mean she struggles to retain any short-term memories but it’s a good excuse to get out of washing the dishes.