Click the following link for a list of facilities that may be activated as Warming Centers during an excessive cold event as determined by the National Weather Service. Warming Centers
If so you are not alone. Patient self-advocacy is a tool to help you actively participate in decision-making regarding your treatment and healthcare, by having the confidence and willingness to ask your healthcare provider questions.1 Patient self-advocacy is about speaking up for yourself, making your own choices about your health, educating yourself about your needs, and telling your provider how you feel and the challenges you face.
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Though some people may feel uncomfortable speaking up for themselves self-advocacy can help give you some control over your healthcare.2 Research has shown that self-advocates are more likely to receive better care and get their medical problems answered.3 This can provide a sense of hopefulness and lead to better overall health.3 Lastly, it can help your healthcare provider understand you better and give you the confidence to ask for the support you need.
SPECIAL NOTE: Patients with Language Barriers and Sensory Impairment
SPECIAL NOTE:
PATIENTS WITH LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS
If you have a language barrier or a sensory impairment (e.g., deaf / hard of hearing, visually impaired, etc.), you can ask for assistance in ANY medical facility. These specific needs should be properly addressed by your care team and if you need further assistance most facilities have patient advocates on staff.
Request Language Assistance: If you don’t understand your medical information, let your healthcare team know. It is your legal right to request interpreter services or translation of health documents at any point and doing so will help you make better health decisions.6
Language assistance can include:
*For languages that are less common, most medical facilities have access to devices that provide immediate 24-hour access to remote medical translators in virtually every language.
Look below to find tips and resources on how to become a better patient self-advocate.
To help you prepare and get the most out of your appointment:
Question Examples:
Note: If you require a special service (i.e., interpreter, large print, magnifier, audio amplification, etc.) try to request it when you make the appointment, not when you arrive, if possible.
I am not getting the information I need from my provider, what other resources can help?
Your healthcare providers know your health history, so they are the best source of health information. However, if you feel you need more information, or have unanswered questions, there are other resources that can help, such as support groups, patient advocates, nurse navigators, social workers, or a peer who has experienced similar health challenges (peer mentor).
The internet can also be a great tool, however, medical information found online is not always trustworthy or credible. To learn more about how to find reliable health information online (in English and Spanish) click here.
Is self-advocacy the same as health literacy?
Although self-advocacy and health literacy can overlap and both are important, they are not the same. Health literacy refers to how well someone can find, understand, and use medical information to make decisions regarding their health.4 Examples include understanding medication instructions or explaining your medical history to your provider. Health literacy skills are important because they can help us prevent, understand, and manage health issues as they arise.5
How are health literacy and self-advocacy related?
Health literacy skills can equip patients with the knowledge they need to better communicate with their providers and practice self-advocacy.