By Jameta N. Barlow
Navigating the health care system can be a frustrating experience. For African Americans—who are at the highest risk of many debilitating conditions/diseases, or may have financial coverage concerns—it is even more challenging.
Research continues to suggest the importance of African Americans seeking regular, health care from their doctors, yet many African Americans don’t. In June 2011, the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality reported, “Among minority and low-income Americans, the level of health care quality and access to services remained unfavorable. The size of disparities related to race and income varied widely across the states." And for those African Americans who do visit doctor, many often cite unpleasant experiences and unequal treatment as a result of what some researchers term, perceived institutionalized racism.
Despite this research, there are many ways African Americans can become advocates for themselves at the doctors’ office. Use these tips to take action:
1. Keep a journal. Start being proactive when monitoring your health. This means recording your mental, emotional and physical symptoms regularly in an easily, accessible journal. You should also include the specific medications you are taking, including supplements, so you can share that information with your doctor(s). Use this journal to keep track of health-related questions and concerns you may have. You can share your questions and concerns at the doctor’s office.
2. Take someone with you to the doctor. Sometimes we don’t hear everything that the doctor tells us about our health. This is when it is helpful to have a colleague, friend or family member go with you to your doctor’s visit. Since 2002, the “The Tom Joyner Morning Show’s” initiative on “Take A Loved One to The Doctor” has raised health and wellness awareness in the Black community via this national, health awareness campaign, culminating on September 30 this year. Share your journal with the person you bring with you to the doctor. They can write down the information your doctor shares with you while you listen to the doctor.
3. Repeat please? Ask questions. Especially if you don’t understand. Ask the doctor to repeat your health information if it is unclear. You may feel that you are putting a burden on your physician. But they will never know you have questions or concerns until you speak up and ask them.
4. Understand your disease. The American Medical Association stated, “Health literacy is a strong predictor of a person’s health than age, income, employment status, education level and race.” Understanding health information is critical to one’s well-being because it can prevent the misinterpretation of doctor’s instructions, which may lead to unnecessary complications.
5. Get a second or third opinion. If you’re not comfortable with one doctor’s opinion, it is okay for you to seek additional opinions from other doctors. What is most critical is that you seek and receive adequate care.
6. Know the terms of your insurance. Many doctors focus on the care they give you and are sometimes unaware of the changing health insurance policies. Except when it involves changes in their fees or reimbursement. It's important that you know your insurance terms and work with your doctor’s billing staff to ensure you are choosing the best options for services and prescriptions.
7. Advocate for yourself and others! Share what you know with others. This may be convening a neighborhood group around a health issue or concern. Visit your state and federal legislators to ensure they are meeting your health policy concerns. More resources and tools on advocacy can be found at AcademyHealth’s Coalition for Health Services Research.
Jameta Barlow is a scholar-activist, writer and doula in North Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree in English from Spelman College, a Masters of Public Health in maternal and child health from The George Washington University and is completing her doctoral degree in psychology at North Carolina State University. Connect with Jameta at www.jametabarlow.com and read her blog at www.divynenhealthy.com.
Sources:
http://healthreform.kff.org/Timeline.aspx
http://www.healthcare.gov/
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/life_style/fitness_life_style/27924
http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2002/Unequal-Treatment-Confronting-Racial-and-Ethnic-Disparities-in-Health-Care.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK25531/
http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2011/snapshots10pr.htm
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