How to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office

If you are not feeling well, a trip to the doctor should help. What if this is not the case? When you feel like a doctor is not listening to your complaints, you may need to take a different approach.

Medical malpractice may occur if the doctor does not follow an established course of action. Learn some ways you can start pushing for better medical care before your health suffers.

Ask follow-up questions

You rely on a doctor’s knowledge to diagnose and care for your condition. When this does not happen, and you start to feel worse, continue to question. Do some independent research and go to the appointment armed with a battery of questions about similar symptoms and the conditions they may indicate.

Request scientific data

A doctor may rattle off the results of tests without much explanation. Hearing that something is normal does little to quell your fears or explain your symptoms. Some extremes may indicate issues even if they fall within what the medical community considers normal. It may mean you need more tests to get to a proper diagnosis.

Get other opinions

When advocating for your health, you may need to leave a practice. If your current provider is not furnishing you with satisfying answers or helping your symptoms, you have the right to get another opinion. Take your patient chart and present your case to another physician. A new pair of eyes may decide to proceed with further investigation into your condition.

No one knows your body like you. If you feel something is off and your doctor is not finding it, then you may want to seek help elsewhere.