Becoming A Self Advocate

Self-Advocacy as a Patient

What is Patient Self-Advocacy in Healthcare? It’s the power to ask questions, speak up for yourself, educate yourself about your health, and tell your provider how you’re feeling. It’s about actively participating in decisions that affect your treatment and healthcare. Don’t feel alone if you’ve ever left a medical appointment feeling misunderstood or unheard.

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Come Prepared: You Know You Best!

Prepare and arrive early to reduce stress. Make a list of your questions, concerns, symptoms, and medications. For specialist visits, bring necessary test results.

Be Open & Ask Questions

-Be honest with your providers to receive proper care and build trust. Your conversations with your doctor are confidential. If you need more clarity, ask for simpler explanations or visual aids. You have access to your medical records, so ask your provider about how to access them.

Ask What’s Most Important First

The average doctor’s appointment is 15 minutes, so it’s important to stay on topic and make the most of that time.
Get your most pressing concerns addressed first in case you run out of time.

Take Notes & Stay Organized

Write down important instructions from your healthcare provider for easy recall.
Bring a supporter to help you take notes or ask if you can record the session.
Make a list of items to act on before your next appointment to stay on track.
Keep all medical notes in one place.

Bring A Supporter

Having a friend or family member there to support and advocate for you can help boost your confidence during appointments.
Having a second set of ears and eyes there can also make sure no important information is missed.

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Never Feel Like You Must Stick with One Provider

If you believe you have been misdiagnosed, have not received adequate care, are not building a trusting relationship with your provider, or have not had your needs addressed you can change providers.
You can ask your current doctor to refer you, ask a friend, or use resources to find one on your own.

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Practice, Practice, Practice

Self-advocacy can seem difficult or uncomfortable. However, the more you advocate and speak out for yourself, the more at ease you will feel doing it in the future.

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Source: The steps of becoming and advocate are modeled after the Patient Self Advocacy Toolkit from Suffolk County Government.

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Advocacy Tools and Resources:

Advocacy in Action:
Join The Oral Health Parent Advisory Committee

The Oral Health Parents Advisory Committee (PAC) is an advocacy group comprised of parents and caretaker from across the state of Florida whose children (primarily those with special needs and disabilities), rely on Medicaid for their dental care. The committee advocates by building relationships with key stakeholders including legislators, providers, and insurers.

Florida Dental Access Guide