5 Ways to Advocate for Yourself at Your Annual Preventive Care Exam

Taking good care of your health means taking an active role in your annual preventive care exams. You are the most important member of your health care team, and it is up to you to manage your health by being proactive about scheduling regular visits with your provider to help you stay healthy.

Speaking up for yourself at the doctor’s office is one of the best ways to ensure you get the care you deserve. You are the only one who knows exactly what symptoms you experience, and your medical team can’t help if they don’t know what concerns you have. Here are 5 tips to help you advocate for yourself at your next preventive care appointment.  

1. Prepare for your appointment

In the moment, you may forget everything you wanted to say to your provider. Preparing for your appointment can help you use your time efficiently. Before your appointment, write down your questions and concerns so you don’t forget what you want to address. Include your symptoms, dates and triggers.

If your provider has a secure online portal, you can also message them before you go with your topics of discussion. Some providers offices may bill for online messaging.  

Many provider offices may have you complete a form with your medical history to help your provider understand your health background and provide personalized care. Have this information ready, including:

• Family history
• Allergies
• Medications
• Current and previous illnesses
• Surgeries
• Hospitalizations
• Chronic conditions

Some offices may even allow you to complete or update your history online prior to your appointment, which can help save time during your visit. Gathering this information beforehand can ensure that your medical history is readily available and accurate, making your appointments more productive and less stressful.

Did you know Compass Rose Health Plan members can keep track of their medical history in myCompass? Our Personal Health Record provides a secure place to record important health information, readily available at your fingertips. Plus, you can print your record to take to your appointment or fax it directly to your provider’s office.

If you’re working with Compass Rose Living Well or Aging Well, we can help you prepare for your appointment and make a list of personalized questions.

2. Arrive on time

Some say that being early is on time, and being on time is late. Primary care providers often have tight schedules; to ensure you have the maximum amount of time with your provider, show up on time or early for your appointment. If you are unsure how early to arrive, you can call the office before you go to confirm.  

Many offices will ask you to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. This not only ensures you have time to fill out necessary forms but can also help alleviate any anxiety about being late. To help you get there on time, map out your transportation route the night before and set an alarm for when you need to leave. It is always best to plan to be early, just in case you run into traffic or other unexpected delays.

3. Take notes

Your annual preventive care visit can cover a lot of topics and your provider may go over several recommendations, including specific dietary changes, a new exercise routine and a new medication regimen. You feel confident in the moment, but as soon as you leave the office, you start to forget some of the details. Did the doctor say to take the medication with food or on an empty stomach? How many times a week should you exercise?  

Taking notes during your appointment can help clarify instructions, ensuring you understand how to follow through with your care plan. Having a written record of what was discussed can also improve communication with other healthcare providers. You can also request written instructions or information after the visit to take home with you.

You should write down important information like:

• Medication dosage instructions and side effects (you can also speak with your pharmacist if you have questions later)
• Medical conditions or diagnoses
• Recommendations to help treat your condition, such as diet instructions or limitations to follow
• Specialist recommendations if you need care outside of your primary care provider’s office

Remember to keep your notes in a secure place, as they may contain sensitive health information.  

4. Ask follow-up questions

So, you wrote down your initial symptoms and questions before your appointment – great! If you find it difficult to understand your provider’s medical jargon, don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions or request they explain it in simple terms. A Google search may warrant different explanations than your provider would give, and it can send you down a rabbit hole of confusion. To avoid that, speak up and ask follow-up questions while you are there.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand their terms. A good provider will take the time to explain everything to you in simple terms.

5. Be open and honest    

Sometimes we downplay how bad our symptoms really are because we fear the solutions, whether that is surgery or medication. Being honest with your provider will allow for complete care and appropriate recommendations to better your health. One of the best ways to be open is to use our first tip: prepare for your appointment by writing down your concerns before you go. Having a list in front of you can hold you accountable to properly voice your concerns during your appointment.  

Remember, your provider is there to help you. They should not judge or shame you for being honest about your health. While it may seem tough at first, advocating for yourself is one of the best ways to take control over your personal wellbeing. Plus, building a strong patient-provider relationship can help you feel more confident in your health care! At the end of the day, be proud of yourself for taking the steps to better your health.