Decoded - How to Navigate Healthcare and Get the Care You Deserve
CONTENTS
PART 1
Introduction - 14-15
Why Navigating Healthcare Feels Overwhelming - 14
Your Rights as a Patient - 14
What “Getting the Care You Deserve” Means - 15
Section I — Building a Strong Foundation Before Any Appointment - 15-17
Knowing Your Health Goals - 15
Understanding Your Medical History - 16
Tracking Symptoms Effectively - 16
Preparing Questions - 16
Identifying Barriers - 17
Using Patient Portals - 17
Section II — Choosing the Right Healthcare Provider - 18-20
Understanding Different Types of Providers - 18
Evaluating a Doctor’s Communication Style - 18
Red Flags When Choosing a Provider - 19
How to Switch Doctors Without Stress - 19
How Insurance Networks Affect Your Options - 20
Section III — Preparing for Your Doctor Visit - 21-22
Creating an Appointment Agenda - 21
Prioritizing Discussion Topics - 21
Bringing Medications and Supplements - 21
Organizing Medical Records - 22
Managing Pre-Appointment Anxiety - 22
Section IV — Mastering Communication During the Visit - 23-24
Introducing Concerns Clearly - 23
Using the “Headline First” Method - 23
Discussing Sensitive or Embarrassing Topics - 23
What to Do When You Feel Rushed - 24
Expressing When Something Still Feels Wrong - 24
Getting Clear Explanations - 24
Asking for Alternatives - 24
Section V — Becoming an Empowered, Active Patient - 25-26
Shared Decision-Making - 25
Evaluating Risks and Benefits - 25
When to Seek a Second Opinion - 25
Self-Advocacy Without Feeling “Difficult” - 26
Asking About Costs - 26
Section VI — Understanding Medical Tests and Treatments - 27-28
What to Know Before Agreeing to a Test - 27
Interpreting Test Results - 27
Questions About New Medications - 27
Understanding Your Diagnosis - 28
Confirming Provider Understanding - 28
Section VII — Difficult Situations and How to Handle Them - 29-30
When Your Doctor Doesn’t Take You Seriously - 29
Navigating Conflicting Medical Opinions - 29
What to Do If You Feel Dismissed or Misdiagnosed - 29
Handling Medical Gaslighting - 30
Advocating Through Pain - 30
Section VIII — After the Appointment - 31-33
Reviewing Visit Notes for Accuracy - 31
Following Up on Tests, Labs, and Referrals - 31
Knowing When to Schedule Follow-Ups vs. Urgent Care - 32
Tracking Your Progress Over Time - 32
Communicating New Information After the Visit - 33
Section IX — Navigating Insurance and Costs - 33-35
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage - 33
How to Negotiate Medical Bills - 34
Using Patient Assistance Programs - 34
How to Dispute Insurance Claims - 35
Preventing Surprise Medical Costs - 35
Section X — Long-Term Health Advocacy- 35-37
Building Long-Term Relationships With Providers - 35
Staying Organized With Ongoing Conditions - 36
Maintaining Confidence in the Healthcare System - 36
Teaching Loved Ones to Advocate for Themselves - 36
Improving Health Literacy - 37
Section XI — Conclusion - 37-39
Turning Anxiety Into Confidence - 37
Becoming Your Own Best Advocate - 38
Final Roadmap for Getting the Care You Deserve - 38
Closing Thoughts - 39
PART 2
General Approach to Care - 40
Patient Visit Checklist - 44
Previsit Information - 46
How to Prepare for a Doctor’s Visit - 50
Common Mistakes Patients Make That Interfere With Good Care - 53
How to Advocate for Yourself - 57
What to Do If You Feel Your Doctor Isn’t Listening - 60
Topics Patients Commonly Hide (But Shouldn’t) - 63
Why Patients Fear Being Honest - 64
Top Questions Every Patient Should Ask - 66
Questions for Complex or Serious Diagnoses - 68
What to Do About Long Wait Times - 69
What to Do When You Run Into Insurance Problems - 70
What to Do About Difficulty Getting Appointments or Access to Care - 71
Emotional Coping Strategies - 71
Doctor-Approved Phrases That Help You Advocate Without Conflict - 71
Getting the Maximum Value Out of a Short Appointment - 72
When a Patient Should Consider Getting a Second Opinion - 76
How to Ask a Doctor for a Second Opinion (Without Offense) - 78
The Best Way to Coordinate Care When Seeing Multiple Specialists - 79
Core Elements of a Strong Doctor–Patient Relationship - 81
Finding the Right Doctor - 88
How To Get The Maximum Benefit From A Telehealth Visit - 92
Online Resources Doctors Recommend - 97
Online Resources & Content to Use With Caution (or Avoid) - 98
How Patients Should Use Online Health Information - 98
Doctor’s On Major Advice - 100
The Most Overlooked Health Habit - 102
Think of Preventive Care as Maintenance - 105
Homeopathy - 111-177
The Biggest Misconception About Homeopathy - 112
How Homeopathy and Conventional Medicine Differ - 116
Pediatrics 178-278
The Most Important Things Parents Can Do to Keep Their Children Healthy - 179
The Most Common Health Mistakes Parents Make - 184
Pediatrician Advice: Preventing Illness in Kids - 190
How Parents Can Naturally Support Their Child’s Immune System - 194
How Parents Can Prepare for a Well-Child Visit - 198
What Information Is Most Helpful for a Pediatrician During a Child’s Appointment - 202
If Parent’s Concerns Aren’t Taken Seriously - 206
What Pediatricians Wish Parents Understood Better About Vaccines - 209
How Parents Can Keep Their Child on Schedule With Screenings & Preventive Care - 212
Screenings & Check-Ups Parents Often Overlook - 216
Early Signs of Developmental Issues Parents Should Look For - 221
How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Mental & Emotional Development - 225
What Parents Should Do If They’re Worried Their Child Isn’t Meeting Milestones - 230
Pediatrician Advice on Nutrition for Growing Kids - 233
How Much Physical Activity Should Children Get Daily - 238
How Parents Can Build Healthy Sleep Habits in Children - 240
Signs a Child Might Be Struggling With Stress, Anxiety, or Depression - 244
How Parents Should Talk to Children About Emotions & Mental Health - 248
When Should a Parent Seek Professional Help for Behavioral Concerns - 252
How Parents Can Advocate for Their Child in a Rushed or Complex Healthcare System - 256
When Is It Appropriate to Seek a Second Opinion - 260
How to Ask for a Second Opinion (Respectfully & Easily) - 262
Pediatrician Advice for Parents When Their Child Needs to See a Specialist - 263
What Makes a Great Pediatrician - 267
How Parents Can Build a Lasting Relationship With Their Child’s Doctor - 272
Pediatricians One Piece of Advice to Every Parent - 277
Qualities Patients Should Look For When Choosing a Doctor - 283
Nutritionists - 288-432
Most Important Information to Bring to a First Nutrition Consultation - 289
How to Get the Most Out of Your Nutrition Appointments - 293
How to Choose the Right Nutritionist or Dietitian - 299
How Patients Can Set Realistic Goals Around Food and Lifestyle Changes - 305
Red Flags Patients Should Watch For - 310
How to Spot Good vs. Bad Nutrition Information - 316
How Patients Can Advocate for Insurance Coverage for Nutritional Counseling - 323
Phone Script: Asking Your Insurance About Nutrition Counseling Coverage - 329
Phone Script: Appealing a Denial or Requesting Prior Authorization for Nutrition Counseling - 332
Navigating Insurance Denials for Any Type of Care - 336
How Nutritionists Tailor Nutrition Advice for People With Multiple Medical Conditions - 343
Myths About Nutrition That Nutritionists Wish Would Disappear - 349
The Major Piece of Advice Nutritionists Give to Improve Patient Health Outcomes - 355
Examples of Small Habits That Lead to Big Results - 358
The Best Way for Patients to Track Eating Habit - 359
Preparing for Your First Nutrition Visit - 363
How To Integrate Nutrition Advice Into Their Broader Medical Care - 370
What Should Patients Do If Their Doctor and Nutritionist Give Different Advice - 378
More Myths and Fads Nutritionists Warn Patients to Be Careful Of - 384
How Patients Can Tell If a Nutritionist Is Qualified and Evidence-Based - 391
Warning Signs That a Nutritionist (or Nutrition Advice) May Not Be Trustworthy - 397
One Small Habit Change Nutritionists Recommend That Has a Big Impact - 403
How Patients Can Stay Motivated When Making Slow or Difficult Dietary Changes - 406
How Patients Should Approach Eating Advice When They Have Multiple Health Conditions - 412
How Patients Can Find Out if Their Insurance Covers Nutritional Counseling - 418
What Advice Nutritionists Have for Patients Who Want Nutritional Help but Can’t Afford It - 424
Public & Community-Based Nutrition Resources Often Overlooked - 431
Surgery 433-446
Questions to Ask Surgeons - 434
Pre-Op Patient Checklist #1 - 437
Post-Op Patient Checklist #1 - 439
Essential Checklists for Safe, Informed Surgery - 441
The Pre-Op Checklist - 441
The Post-Op Checklist - 444
Obstetrics - 447-486
Questions Patients Should Ask Their Obstetrician - 448
Essential Questions to Ask Your Obstetrician - 458
How to Choose the Right Obstetrician - 465
Labor & Delivery Decision-Making - 471
Postpartum Recovery & Mental Health - 479