CONVERSATION WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Talking about your health can be tricky, especially for Black and Latinx women.

As if a trip to the doctor’s office isn’t stressful enough, many women of color face a complex issue that comes with falling ill. The issue? Will my concerns be taken seriously?

By now you’ve likely heard about the overwhelming and disproportionate amount of Women of color who die due to medical neglect, specifically, as it relates to childbirth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women alone are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women.

How do you protect yourself the ensure you are getting the care you need and deserve? The main tool at your disposal is education. Know what to ask, when to ask, and who to ask.

Many researchers, Black and Latinx women doctors, and journalists have researched vital questions women of color must ask when visiting their local physicians. Below are the top five questions women of color should ask when visiting a healthcare professional.

1.Ask why

This question may be obvious but finding out what is happening to you is crucial during a doctor’s visit. According to PureWow, as a patient, you have the right to have access to all information.

If you are confused about a treatment, test, medication, etc., you have the right to ask why. “Why is this treatment being administered,” “Why are you prescribing this medication,” and “Why am I feeling this way,” are some of the top why’s to ask should the need occur.

2.Ask about your pain

Sometimes pains in our bodies go overlooked without realizing it could be an indicator of something serious. It is that serious. Mentioning any pains you have felt and are feeling could potentially save your life. “Carefully tracking your symptoms and knowing exactly how and when you notice changes can be helpful in receiving necessary treatment. ‘Saying ‘I don’t feel good’ isn’t enough,’ said Butler (Nichole Butler, OB/GYN at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago.) ‘You need to be able to provide some information about what’s not feeling good so you can be taken seriously. The more specific, the better,’ says Nichole Butler, OB/GYN at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. ‘You need to be able to provide some information about what’s not feeling good so you can be taken seriously. The more specific, the better,’

3.Ask about your rights as a patient

Again, you have every right to know what is happening during a doctor’s visit, but should you require additional clarity, ask about your rights.

According to SingleCare, a prescription savings card and mobile app, there are patient rights that every health organization and entity has on hand. Reading that document can help recognize if you’re receiving “subpar treatment.” 4.Ask for your provider to give you a copy of your medical records.

All information regarding previous visits to the doctor, treatments, medications, and immunizations is important to have in your possession because you never know when you’ll have to find a new care provider, and having access to your medical records can be useful when transferring providers. Asking for information regarding your treatments and care is your right, and if for some reason you happen to lose the copy you were provided with, you can ask for another. Knowing your own medical information is vital.

5.Ask if you can be treated by a Woman of color

When setting an appointment in a new office, you’re typically asked if you’d like to see a male or female physician. When selecting your healthcare provider simply state the following: “I’d like to be seen by a woman of color.” How to find them? Start with a Google search, because when doing so, a picture of the physician may appear when doing your research.

Not only can you see a picture of your possible physician, you’ll see their experience and credentials as well. Information like this is crucial when choosing someone to take care of your health.

Women of color have unique and complex experiences when it comes to healthcare, so finding a care provider that not only looks like you, but is knowledgeable and attentive to your needs can feel like a breath of fresh air.

So in conclusion, ask questions, stay informed, and know your rights, you do not need to be an expert in medicine to know what are the right things to bring up when visiting a healthcare provider.