Patients are hesitant to question healthcare providers. How can you advocate for their needs effectively?

When patients have pertinent information regarding their options, they surely can, and have the right to question healthcare providers. We must approach patients with education and empowerment to navigate the broken and complex healthcare system. Facilitating open communication, under the constraints of time can cause barriers. With the open access of the internet, educational podcasts and institutional outreach, etc. patients can advocate for themselves with ease.

As a private RN Advocate, not a provider, I remind patients that they are CUSTOMERS of a SERVICE. Patients so often feel intimated, or worried about seeming disrespectful by asking for clarification or a second opinion, or by deciding against recommended treatments or procedures. I try to remind them of their agency, power, and choice as consumers. On the flip-side, I also try to make sure they understand the potential consequences of walking away, declining treatment, and/or looking for a different provider.

I tell patients to write a list and bring it with them. A provider is allocated only so much time to see the patient, so being prepared will keep the focus on their concerns, and not feel rushed out of the door.

Building trust takes time and patience, but it is essential for providing effective advocacy and personalized care. So approach the patient with empathy, respect for autonomy and a commitment to confidentiality one can foster an environment where the patient feels safe and supported in sharing their medical history. Let the patient know that you are available to answer questions or address any concerns they may have throughout the process. If needed, provide them with meaningful resources or referrals to support services for their wellbeing. Avoid judgmental or dismissive remarks that may further deter the patient from opening up.

Empathy is the first step towards trust. Healthcare advocates need to put themselves in the shoes of their patients- their socioeconomic background, level of medical education, and their fears- acknowledging them as rational and valid is the first step. Making a patient feel understood and validated is the first baby step towards them sharing more, asking more questions, reporting more and overall leading to better end-patient outcomes.

In this article response list, patient education is listed first. I am not sure if this is by design or not, but I would like to point out that the very first step in ANY type of patient care activity, establishing and building trust is key to everything else. They will not listen or learn anything if they do not trust who is taking care of them. They will not ask questions without trust. They may refuse to comply with everything if they do not trust. It is worth taking the time needed for establishing a trusting relationship with the patient. The entire healthcare experience and outcome depend on it.

La IA es un será nuevo metodo , según lo informado Pero nunca reemplazará al médico Es tan importante el Diálogo con el paciente. Darle tranquilidad mantener ,equilibrio . Aprendi nunca una máquina va superar al Ser humano . Mi mayor deseo es que cada avance en la ciencia sea para el futuro bienestar ,ante enfermedades muchas veces delicadas . Lo importante es Sanar el bienestar de la gente .

I have a different perspective to it actually we need to understand the real problem and gap between the doctor and patient. Patient has a communication gap to express his disease and drs are overburdened with high number of patients so less time per patient. To mitigate the gap digital innovation is required intervention wherein we can use recent AI and digital tools where patients can input there questions, problems in their comfortable way of communication doctors can have detailed view of what is real query and can respond in their medical language but further output to the patient can be in easy understandable version. So need of the hour is Digital bridging

listen and provide instruction with empathy. It can become easy to forget that a condition that we as providers are used to is completely new and can be scary to a patient.

I’m finding that the best education for my patients comes when I ask them to repeat back what they thought I said. I am able to explain the heart failure diet education again if needed.

Siempre que el paciente este con un médico ,este contenido es de gran Alivio ante el stress. Si no hay salud mental ,como física para las personas un buen Diagnóstico claro. Se angustian , siempre el diálogo es importante sanador dándoles confianza . Realizar estudios pertinentes ,muy objetivo . Siempre digo con Dengue habían 500 personas guardia , evaluaciones eran como COVID . Primero había ponerse máscara luego , pagabas después 5 horas de espera muchos casos eran mal diagnosticado las plaquetas . No era Dengue ? Las personas se asustan hasta llegar vacuna y está otro médico con mucha capacidad dice esto no fue Dengue . Por los virus y las enfermedades como las vacunas de los niños 🚸 no dan por los Padres niegan. se avanza y retrasa

Staying on the phone with the patient when they make either an initial or follow-up appointment in your clinic or elsewhere helps build trust with the patient. They learn that we can help them navigate if they’re confused or hesitant to engage, usually due to prior experiences. Calling the other clinic team to provide clarity and validation of what the patient is needing/wanting. Then looping in the patient via conference call so they can confirm what their needs/wants are leads to smoother interactions within the system.

We have the technology to encompasses this issue. By having an app made for your health care space or hospital. Here you are helps the patient to navigate the physical. An app can also be used in conjuction with a health care portal. Text messages are critical and helpful for appointments or even an event like breast cancer awareness month, for mamagrams. Having a point person or receptionist which can handle patients in a kind and efficient manner. Inclusion of having a social worker to part of your team that will be available for client who become overwhelmed or in crisis.

Teaching a patient how to navigate health systems can be an empowering tool for them. When someone feels capable of finding their own resources and education, they also feel encouraged to have dialogue with their provider and also question them or seek second and third opinions. It is my belief that we also must teach doctors soft skills and how to communicate and dialogue with their patients on their knowledge level about their own health, and not to keep these roles of feeling like they are gods looking down on patients. This practice has been demeaning of patients and their communities for decades, and perpetuates health disparities. Therefore causing distrust of doctors and the medical systems entirely.

As a Public Health Educator and Community Health Worker Instructor who works with marginalized and vulnerable communities, it is important to support the decision-making of patients and communities and not to press our agendas (aka grant goals and performance metric) on people. All we can do is teach people about their condition, their choices provide resources, then support their decision on what it is if they want to do. When we provide encouragement, support and empower of person to make their own decisions they usually make the best decision for them and that’s all that we can hope for. That should be the metric of care, and that should be the grant goal we are trying to ascertain.

I've seen firsthand how empowering decision-making can transform healthcare experiences. Many of us feel intimidated in medical settings. It's okay to ask questions and voice concerns. I always encourage patients to write down their thoughts before appointments. This simple act can boost confidence and ensure you don't forget important points. Also, consider bringing a trusted friend or family member for support. They can help you process information and ask questions you might miss. Remember, good healthcare is a partnership.

I challenge myself to “always do the right thing.” I don’t always get it right, but I strive to leave patients better than when I meet them. I want to cultivate an environment that promotes conversation, comforts, clarifies, and informs without bias. I feel it is my responsibility to stand in the gap for the patient, between other providers, clinical staff, and even their family members. To achieve this, I reassure the patient that I cannot appropriately advocate for them, if I do not understand their wishes/goals of care. I assess their knowledge of the medical situation, clarify any discrepancies in a kind manner, and explore areas of their concerns, while answering questions in a compassionate way.

Patient confidence would be boosted in a healthcare system that clearly does not tolerate bad players in its halls. For instance, sexual predators in white coats. A system that does nothing until HUNDREDS of victims make complaints is unsafe.

Often times patients are overwhelmed with not only a potentially shocking diagnosis, but with the flood of information they receive immediately afterward. Healthcare providers must understand that patients need time to digest the content they are given before they can ask their provider informed questions and work toward a decision. It's not reasonable to expect a patient to understand treatment options and potential outcomes immediately after diagnosis. Multiple counseling sessions and provider conversations may be necessary to make informed decisions, and that's not a bad thing.

To help patients who are hesitant to question healthcare providers about their follow-up care, after appointments, you can check in with patients to ensure they understood the information provided and address any remaining concerns. Help them schedule and keep follow-up appointments. This way, you can effectively advocate for patients’ follow-up care needs, ensuring they receive the necessary care and feel supported in the process.

Primary care providers are in the best position to build strong relationships with their patients, actively listen to their concerns, and advocate for them. When organizations put patients first and allow sufficient time for health professionals to address patient care, continuity of care becomes easier. Adequate panel size will translate to availability for follow-up appointments and result in excellent health outcomes.

Moving forward with follow up care and the use of social workers instead of nursing or along side of nursing. A trained professional can easily ask questions about home health, hospice or follow up. Making notation for the nurse if any medical questions come up in the conversation. Social workers can assess mental health, such as depression or anxiety, report back to medical staff and make the referral for the client. The social worker can make additional calls regarding any changes made ect. This also is building a therapeutic alliance with the entire team because it would be evident they are just that, a team

Patients should never feel that questioning or seeking clarity undermines the expertise of their doctors. Instead, they should be encouraged to view their role in healthcare as a partnership where their voice and concerns are just as vital as the provider’s knowledge. Treating patients who may feel reluctant to advocate for themselves involves creating a non-judgmental environment where they feel heard and respected. Providers should communicate clearly, avoiding jargon, and invite patients to express any concerns or preferences. It also involves recognizing and addressing any fears or anxieties the patient may have about their care.

Helping patients advocate for their needs involves empowering them with the right tools, information, and confidence. While education is one strategy to empower patients about the importance of shared decision-making, long standing traditions and cultural beliefs and practices that see doctors as almost God-like make it hard for patients to ask questions, express concerns, and communicate effectively. In such situations, it is helpful to encourage patients to join support groups where they can share experiences and gain confidence from others facing similar situations. Prilovide access to professional patient advocates who can accompany patients to appointments and help them articulate their needs and treatment decisions.

During our training as healthcare providers, we learned comprehensive listening skills. However, what often goes unaddressed is the impact of unconscious bias and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for both patients and providers. It is essential for us, as healthcare providers, to empower our patients to express themselves by listening attentively and without prejudice or stereotypes. We must always adhere to the principles of patient-centered care, recognizing that each patient has unique characteristics and may present a range of symptoms with varying degrees of intensity.

Some patients feel intimidated by healthcare providers, fearing to ask questions or express disagreements because they perceive providers as superior and in control of their care. As a social work professional, I educate patients that they are the drivers of their overall care, with providers serving as backseat passengers. While providers treat conditions and offer recommendations, ultimately, patients make the final decisions on how to proceed with their care. Patients can advocate for themselves because they know their bodies better than the providers do.

A mí me resulta muy útil Dado que cada caso di es real . Cómo Psicóloga social Estud licencia Psicológia clínica . Es muchos médicos no funcionan En lo congnitivo. Cuántos erraron conozco dieron como no era nada . Pediatras la niña de 10.@ños tenía cáncer . Decía es algo comió por los vomitos . Esa niña como era de flia de bien ❤️🩹 Hermosa no dieron la importancia merecida . Luego tres meses era cáncer tomo garganta bajo de peso , agarro todo el corazón ❤️. No hubo tiempo . Estoy hablando de un caso pediátrico médicos luego se enojaban con la madre nunca se van responsables mala Praxis . La salud no es comprar pan listo . La salud es muy valiosa desde atención con médico . Un médico debe ser razonable no un circo. Respetar Ser humano.