patient self-advocacy

By the Better Health Questions Team The Short Answer When a clinician's goal for your care and the way you'd describe that goal in your own words don't line up, it isn't a sign that something has …

Continue Reading about A Clinician and Patient Use Different Words for the Goal: Finding Agreement →

By the Better Health Questions Team The short answer In most cases, a clinician can talk with a support person by phone — a spouse, friend, or family member — as long as the patient is present and …

Continue Reading about A Support Person Joins by Phone: Clarifying Consent and Roles →

By the Better Health Questions Team Write One Sentence Before You Walk In The clearest way to prepare for a hard care conversation is to write down, in one sentence, the actual decision you need help …

Continue Reading about Before a Difficult Care Conversation: Write the Decision You Need Help With →

By the Better Health Questions Team Preparing for a Second Opinion: The Short Answer To prepare for a second opinion, write down the decision you are facing, such as whether to have a recommended …

Continue Reading about Preparing for a Second Opinion: State the Decision, Not a Preferred Answer →

By the Better Health Questions Team The Scenario Every Patient Runs Into Your doctor orders a follow-up test — a repeat scan, a lab panel, a specialist's report — and says, "We'll take a look and go …

Continue Reading about A Care Plan Depends on a Future Test: Tracking Who Acts on the Result →

By the Better Health Questions Team Can You Ask About Cost and Still Ask the Medical Question? Yes. You can ask about the cost of a care option without losing the medical question. Start with the …

Continue Reading about Asking About the Cost of a Care Option Without Losing the Medical Question →