Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling dismissed, talked down to, intimidated, or like your questions didn’t matter? Maybe you’ve been told you’re fine when you know something isn’t right, or you’ve been afraid to question your doctor’s recommendations because you don’t want to be seen as difficult. Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia are talking about how to move from being a passive patient to becoming a confident self-advocate in your healthcare.
Dr. Holly explains why so many people become passive in the medical system, including authority dynamics, past experiences of being dismissed, chronic illness, and practitioners who use fear or intimidation. She shares practical ways to prepare for appointments, questions you can ask when you don’t understand or agree with something, and how to recognize when it’s time to find a different practitioner.
In this episode:
- Why feeling dismissed, intimidated, or unheard by your doctor can make you feel powerless and less likely to participate in your own care
- How to prepare for a medical appointment with a symptom timeline, questions, medical records, and a clear goal for the conversation
- What to say when a doctor dismisses your concerns, including specific questions that can help you understand the reasoning, risks, benefits, alternatives, and next steps
- Why you are allowed to question your healthcare provider, seek another opinion, choose a different practitioner, and take an active role in decisions about your own body
Ready to take a more active role in your health? Explore our approach to finding answers when nothing seems to be working.
