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How
to Communicate Better with Your Health Care Provider
As
an individual with a disability, you may have a harder time accessing
health care than your non-disabled peers. The following tips will
help you build a positive partnership with your health care provider
and promote your health.
Know
your health
Get regular check-ups when you are healthy because preventive health
care greatly increases your chances of staying healthy. Monitor
your own health and visit your provider when you know something
is not normal for you.
Get
referrals
When choosing a health care provider, ask for referrals from friends,
disability agencies, and family support groups to learn which providers
adequately address the needs of individuals with certain disabilities.
Ask
questions
When choosing a new health care provider or when you have concerns
regarding an upcoming exam, consider scheduling a pre-appointment
or phone call to ask questions and help put yourself at ease. This
appointment may not be covered by your health care insurance and
you may have to pay for it yourself.
Check
accessibility
When you schedule your medical appointment, ask about physical accessibility.
Ask about accessible parking and what you should do if all these
parking spaces are filled. Ask if the examining room and bathroom
are wheelchair accessible. You may want to ask if you can bring
your own urine sample if one is needed.
Think
through concerns
Always think through what you want to discuss with your provider
before you meet with him or her. Create a list of your concerns
and take it with you to your appointment.
Take
health records
Be knowledgeable about your specific health conditions. Keep complete,
thorough records of your medical history so that you can help educate
your provider. Take these records with you to your appointments.
Know
your health plan
Be knowledgeable about your specific health care insurance plan
and what it will and will not pay for.
Take
a friend
Consider bringing a friend or caregiver with you to the examining
room. This person can listen, help take notes, ask questions, or
just make you feel more comfortable. If necessary, remind your health
care provider to speak to you rather than your friend. You may want
to ask your companion to leave the room for a few minutes if you
have something private to discuss with your health care provider.
Write
down info
Take notes during your health care visit, if this will help you
to remember details. At the end of the visit, check and make sure
you correctly understood your provider's information and recommendations.
Tips
on Improving Communication
One
of the most common barriers for people with disabilities is not
physical - it's communication. To help put people at ease and to
facilitate inclusion of people with disabilities, the NC Office
on Disability and Health has released Tips and Strategies to
Promote Accessible Communication.
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This
36-page book gives recommendations and guidelines for a number
of issues, from communication aids and alternative formats
to media relations. Disability-specific tips for personal
interactions and interviews are also included.
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For
a free copy, contact NC Office on Disability and Health at
919-966-2932 voice or
919-966-0862 fax or send an
email to odhpubs@mail.fpg.unc.edu
www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh
[By
the NC Office on Disability and Health.]
See
also ...
Educate
Your Doctor
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