Good News Tucson - A Family Values Publication

WOMAN'S HEALTH with Sharon Campbell, CRNP

Getting the best Health Care -
Do you know what you are missing?

While there are no perfect health care providers or perfect patients, there is a lot you can do to get the care you need and deserve.

Health care providers include nurse practitioners, physicians, physician's assistants, naturopaths, chiropractors and others. To choose a provider can be a daunting task.

Insurance companies seem to drive our choices more and more as they have lists of contracted providers who will be covered under our plans, if we even have insurance.
How do you choose? Very carefully!

It is important to have a provider who is right for you. When making a choice, you will want to ask some questions including: will this person be available to you, is he or she willing to answer your questions, educate you, give you resources to help you manage your health? Ask your friends and family for recommendations. If you can ask a nurse, you are likely to get an educated, objective opinion.

There is a symbiotic relationship between a good provider and the patient. They work together to help each other by being well informed about each other. It is especially important to find someone with whom you can communicate.

It is OK to interview a provider before you make your choice and it is OK to change providers. People are sometimes embarrassed about doing that and are fearful of offending the provider - but your care is top priority for you. You can often tell the very first time you call the office whether the patient's concerns are respected. Sometimes customer service, in health care, seems to be a thing of the past, but it should not be. You are a consumer of this service and deserve to be heard and respected.

Once you have made a choice, you still have to be your own best advocate. You need to actively participate in your care. Providers and patients are a team. If you have a provider who will not embrace you as a partner in the management of your care, you should find one who will. Many people are reticent to question the providers or raise doubt about the appropriateness of their care or diagnosis. We should be able to discuss these things and deserve to understand the terminology being used. You can only benefit from such an interaction

Providers should not take exception to valid questions, and be willing to give the education and information that is necessary for your understanding without patronizing you or making you feel "stupid". Make sure he or she knows your questions, concerns and preferences. Most health care practitioners honestly care about people, want the best for them and want to help them.

If you understand and feel comfortable, you are more likely to do your part to make things work. Be assertive without being aggressive. You need to be involved, so be a go-getter, don't sit back and get mediocre care.

Sharon Campbell is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) who owns A New Creation Women’s Clinic. Well versed in Women’s Health, her emphasis is on reproductive and gynecological health. Sharon can be reached at 293-1117.