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You may or may not have seen the meme about why you didn’t get the ice and warm blankets you requested 30 minutes ago (see the end of this post)… but long story short… most doctors and nurses have between 3-30 other patients and are working their fastest and best to provide the most safe and effective medical care to each one of them. Our below guide will by no way change that, but it is some ideas for how to have the best collaborative experience with your healthcare providers (and you might just get that warm blanket with out even asking;).

1. Be your own advocate. I have had multiple young cancer patients receive devastating diagnoses after having multiple benign test results. You know your body best and need to respectfully and persistently speak up for yourself when you think something isn’t right or if you don’t understand or agree with something in your treatment plan. Mistakes also can happen! If you feel like something isn’t right, speak up!

2. Write down all your questions ahead of time. At the END of the appointment (or visit from the doctor if you are in the hospital), make sure you understood the plan and had your questions answered. Asking to record your appointment is a great way to be able to “take in” more of what the physician said later, when you are not as stressed and will be able to learn better.

3. Understand your healthcare providers are just people (really smart people who are working their asses off). There is an old saying “put 3 doctors in a room and you will get 4 medical opinions.” Medicine is more of an art and science than anyone wants to admit. As doctors are like people, if you don’t feel that you have a good working relationship together, simply book your next appointment with a different doctor! Is the doctor that you have heard so many wonderful things about no longer accepting new patients? Write them a personal letter in the mail and explain who recommended them and why you would like to see them. Chances are their office staff closed their schedule and they have the power to override it and accept a new patient. Worth a try!

4. SPECIAL DELIVERY!! Your healthcare team never expects treats (and most organizations forbid employees from accepting gifts over $25-$50)… BUT a few treats can go a long way. The best food-delivery I got in the hospital? A patient’s family asked what coffee we all wanted from Starbucks. Another family brought in a collection of fruits and veggies for the break room (much appreciated as many nurses are trying to be healthy). Don’t forget to write your name and room number so you can get credit! I brought donuts and got our nurses pizza and Starbucks orders at different points during my husband’s ER admission. A few of the nurses popped their heads in to say “hello” and “thank you.” It felt like we had a lot of friends on the unit and they even moved us to a larger room without us even asking. Don’t forget the night shift! Change of shift is usually 7:00-7:30 am and pm and the night shift tends to not get very many treats. I like to bring 2 sets of whatever and bust out the second set in the evenings.

   5. SAY THANK YOU with your words!! A heartfelt card is ALWAYS appreciated and more meaningful than (almost) any gift! I like to make a copy of any card I write and make sure to leave it for the department manager. Being a healthcare provider is most typically a thankless job, so anytime patients go out of their way to say thank-you, it goes a long way. There are also these brochures at the front desk or near the elevators that are quick opportunities to provide great feedback to the management and will most likely go on the staff reviews.