Being Assertive with Healthcare Professionals

Hi Adele, that's a really good strategy, so long as you remember to look at your notes.  I try to make sure I'm only dealing with one issue at a time with the doctor etc. or I go in with a list and make sure it's all done before I leave.   I still forget things by the time I walk out of their office.  I've found getting the health professional to write things down for me helps.  And repetition is needed before I remember reliably.

Post stroke The list is your friend.  I do this for my work schedule too.  I have a monthly to do list in excel that I colour code at the end of each day with comments on what's still to be done if needed.  That's work not doctors etc.  but it would work for both.

-Heather

Hi Adele, I was inspired to write a blog on this issue after watching my mother advocate for my grandmother during her long illness and hospitalisation. I researched it by reading lots of different guides and talking to people managing health issues and their carers. I hope it is of interest - Jude

https://www.strokefoundation.com.au/blog/2015/05/19/how-to-get-the-health-care-you-need 

Hi Adele,

Great resource you've added on assertiveness. I have many callers to StrokeLine who feel uncomfortable being assertive if they aren't used to communicating this way. It is essential though to get your needs heard and met. Everyone has the right to accurate information and have it explained in a way they can understand.

The My Stroke Journey resource has some useful sections to write down questions and names of health professionals depending where you are at in your journey. See page 15-20 and page 24. https://strokefoundation.com.au/what-we-do/support-programs

The Post Stroke Checklist may also be helpful for some, again depending on where you are at in your journey. https://strokefoundation.com.au/what-we-do/support-programs

Jude's blog is a fantastic resource as are lists as suggested by Heather. Writing things down, using the notes in your phone and other 'to do list' apps with reminders I find helpful in my own life and reduce stress and overwhelm.

Simone (Occupational Therapist for StrokeLine)

This post is very interesting and helpful. My mother in law used to use her phone to record doctors meetings but she wasn't always allowed to do so. My advice is to seek permission to record a meeting in advance, and explain why you want to do so. Also, taking another person who takes notes during the meeting is helpful, I have not have a stroke myself, but when I go for appointments, I often ask my partner to take notes about what was advised/said in a meeting (e.g. physiotherapy session where I'm given exercises to do that Im likely to forget).

This post interested me a lot. I have found that there is no real one stop shop and dependent on where you are at and what you want to focus on will depend on what and who you should deal with. I know that I don’t take no for an answer and I can see that others too have experienced what I have. I have written a stroke diary which not only includes my thoughts and fears but also notes about what therapy and contacts I’ve made so that if I should want to go back and focus, say for example on my balance (at the moment my focus is getting my left hand to work) I know who I can contact. The one main problem I have is the medication prescribed to me but again, that’s a constant balance so that I can do therapy without chronic pain.