Taking an Active Role in Your Health

For some patients, becoming an active member of their healthcare team can be challenging. Some individuals may feel overwhelmed by all of the information, test results, and treatment options, while others might not feel comfortable talking to their healthcare provider at all.

If you (or a loved one) are struggling to find a place on the healthcare team, or feel lost during healthcare appointments, there are some steps you can take to make the most of your time with your physician. These tips may also help you break into a more active role when it comes to treatment planning or symptom management.

Take notes and pay attention

When your healthcare provider is talking about confusing test results or treatment options with unfamiliar names, it is easy to want to zone out. However, staying focused and taking notes during your visit may help you remember more from your appointment. If you are unable to take notes or do not feel comfortable doing this while your healthcare provider is talking to you, it may be a good idea to ask a friend or family member to come to your appointment with you and be your designated note taker.

Do some research and ask questions

After your appointment, you may think of more questions or want to find out more about a topic your doctor brought up. Doing a quick internet search or checking in with a support group can help you find out more. However, it is important to remember that an internet search can lead to many results, and not all websites are accurate. Sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Psoriasis Foundation, and other sites reviewed by doctors and researchers will generally have accurate and easy-to-understand information.

As you are doing research, you may find that you have more questions than when you started. Make sure to write down any questions you have and bring them to your next doctor’s appointment.

Ask for different options and for more time

In some cases, there may only be 1 treatment option that is appropriate for your specific situation, and there may not be much of a choice to be made. However, in other cases, your doctor might be deciding between several different treatment options with different cure rates, side effects, and price ranges.

Ask your doctor if there is more than 1 treatment option for you and if you can help decide based on what you are looking to get out of treatment. For example, if you know that you want to avoid a specific side effect, ask your doctor if there are any medications that might reduce the chance of you having it.

If your doctor does give you several treatment options to choose from, it is okay to ask for time to decide. You do not need to make a decision on the spot. You can go home and do some more research or ask friends or support group members what their experiences have been, and use that to help make your decision later on.

Talk directly and openly with your doctor

Some individuals with psoriasis feel like they cannot talk to their doctors because they are scared that their doctors will judge them. Experiencing stigma with psoriasis is not uncommon. This stigma can come from healthcare providers, too. Confronting the issue head-on and letting your doctor know about your fear of their judgment, your treatment, or the future can help keep communication open and create mutual respect between you.

Fostering a high level of respect and setting goals for care may help ease conversations later on and allow you to take on a more active role on the team. If your doctor or healthcare provider does not make you feel valued or heard, you may be able to seek a second opinion or a new provider.