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Becoming an Active Participant in Your Health Care

© Deanna Couras Goodson

Until I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I couldn't say that I was much of an active participant in my own health care. I got the distinct impression from other, older family members that doctors were infallible and I was not to question them. It took me decades to debunk that fallacy.

The first thing I needed to do was to remember that I was the client. My doctor provides me with a service. Now, I don't go to a restaurant or a store, get sub-par service and return to that same place to spend more of my money. I decided I just wasn't going to do that with my doctor anymore, either.

Once I was aware of my rights, it was easier for me to feel empowered. I recommend that you read this article on Patient Rights and Responsibilities. In the US, we do have them. Patients have the right to:

• receive accurate and easy to understand information (in our own language) regarding our health plan, health care providers and facilities.
• choose a competent health care provider that will give us a sufficient level of quality care.
• Respectful, nondiscriminatory and considerate care.
• Participate in our treatment decisions. In order to do so, we should be made aware of your options or have someone we appoint be it a parent, guardian or spouse, act as our intermediary. They should then be made aware of all the information to help us make educated treatment decisions with our doctor.

I know that all sounds easier said than done, but people need to be tough when their health and well-being are at stake. It's okay to question your doctor. Of course, the patient should make every effort to do some work and educate themselves. Going to the doctor shouldn't be a passive experience.

With the plethora of information available on the internet, many people turn to web sites for articles, information and, in some cases, diagnostics. I don't recommend that and neither does the AMA (American Medical Association). It's too dangerous for a patient to try and heal himself or herself.

I agree that many web sites are useful. I research them all the time. I gather information on my condition and my symptoms so I can take my concerns up with my doctor.

I understand that my doctor is a busy man and I remember reading somewhere that patients need to express themselves in about 3-minutes. Doctors have lots of patients and very little time to treat them. Basically, 3-minutes is all the time they can afford to give us for discussion. That's an average.

The copyright of the article Becoming an Active Participant in Your Health Care in Hypothyroidism is owned by Deanna Couras Goodson. Permission to republish Becoming an Active Participant in Your Health Care in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.