MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy - Cover3

TICKER COPY Department
TIGER TIPS
* Get your doctor to advocate for you. When scheduling appointments
or booking tests, have your doctor speak to the
scheduling team about your appointments as opposed to
calling to set up an appointment. This will save you time and
ensure you are being prioritized. Secretaries will work with
more urgency when getting direction directly from a doctor.
* Act with urgency. You are a priority, and your life is a priority.
Don't put off testing, treatment, or even research. Time is of
the essence, and the sooner you do things the better the outcome
will likely be.
* Write down or ask your doctor for a summary or recording
of what was discussed during your appointment. According
to Roy P C Kessels' article " Patients' Memory for Medical Information, "
people forget up to 80 percent of what doctors tell
them as soon as they leave the office and 50 percent of what
they recall is remembered incorrectly.
* " Ask, ask, ask. " We can't say it enough. Low health literacy
is linked to higher rates of hospitalization and higher use of
expensive emergency services.
* Tell the truth. It can be tempting to hold back the truth or parts
of the truth, but when asked, do your best to answer wholly.
* Don't struggle with a language barrier. If you need an interpreter,
do request one. If you are struggling to understand even
as an English speaker, ask your provider to explain it differently
until you completely understand.
* Bring support if you can. If someone cannot come with you,
ask the doctor if they can call in. Having someone there who
can help you to listen and take notes is beneficial.
* Go with your gut. If you have any doubts about your doctor,
the institution, or quality of care, do pursue a second opinion.
No ONE doctor has all the answers, so asking someone else is
no big deal. We want to emphasize that there is NO retaliation
when you ask for a second opinion, everyone should feel empowered
to take control of their situation and find the answers
they need. Pay attention to the institution and quality of care.
Even treatment by the staff is another key indicator.
* Make a list. Make a list of any comments, concerns, and questions
you might have away from the appointment. Aggregate
them and bring them to your next appointment.
* Repeat what the doctor says. Repeat what the doctor says
during an appointment to allow them the opportunity to correct
you in case you misunderstood.
* Ask the doctor if you can voice record them.
* Be open and honest with providers. Be fully transparent about
your symptoms, habits, and lifestyle. No topic should be taboo.
This is (and should be) a judgment-free zone. Also, be honest
with your provider if you're not feeling heard by them: if you
sense there is a miscommunication, speak up.
* Ask questions about anything that you do not understand,
and do not be afraid to ask the question again if you don't
understand the answer. Ask providers to clarify any medical
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HEALTH LITERACY ISSUE | SUMMER 2023
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term you're not familiar with. When it comes to your health,
there are no stupid questions. To help you remember, you can
also take notes about what you discuss so you can refer to
them as needed.
* Tell providers your entire story, not just your symptoms. It is
crucial to tell doctors what your symptoms are, but don't forget
to put them in context by sharing your entire story: when did
your symptoms start? When do they occur/how often? Are you
experiencing any changes in your life that might be related in
some way? This also comes down to being transparent.
* Give feedback about the doctor's care and your office experience.
If you feel like you're not getting the care you deserve,
reach out to a patient advocate/the hospital's patient affairs
department. You have a right to be heard.
* Ask for help/mediation. Patient advocates and case managers
can help you navigate the relationship with your providers.
Don't hesitate to involve them; they're there to help you.
* Trust yourself if you feel you're being dismissed due to bias
or discrimination, trust your instincts. The relationship with
your provider should be one between equals, based on trust
and understanding. If this understanding or respect isn't there,
get the care you deserve elsewhere.
If you have not already embarked on your path to health literacy or
know someone who would benefit from some support on their path
to health literacy, Tigerlily has a 15-Part Barrier Toolkits outsource
set. You can pick and choose or download them all.
MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy

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