At Diana Health, We Hear You & See You

A report this year by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed some disturbing facts about many women’s healthcare experiences in the United States. 

• 29% of women ages 18-64 felt like their concerns were dismissed in the past two years. 
• 13% of women in the same age group felt like their healthcare provider suggested that they were personally to blame for their health problems. 
• 9% of women have experienced age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or other form of discrimination in a healthcare visit in the past two years
• 21% of women (38% of uninsured women) have difficulty finding a doctor who explains things in an easily understandable way

At Diana Health, we care about you – we see you, and we hear you. We exist for YOU! We pride ourselves on co-creating action plans with your unique needs in mind. You know your body better than anyone else. Our providers have expertise in obstetric and gynecologic conditions; however, YOU are the ultimate expert on you. Only you know what is normal for you, and you’re likely the first to know when something is wrong. Even if you’re not sure how to explain it or unsure as to what is going on that is bothering you, we’re here to listen and support you along your health journey. 

Below are some helpful and encouraging suggestions to make the most of your healthcare visits, to feel empowered to be seen and heard.

• Keep a symptom diary: If you’re experiencing a symptom that is not urgent, you have time to keep a symptom diary. This diary will help your healthcare professional know how to evaluate the issue best. You can track the timing of the symptom, where it is located, the nature of the sensation (pain, ache, tingling), what makes it better or worse (e.g., ibuprofen, laying down, a warm shower), and when the issue started.
• Don’t be embarrassed: Don’t let embarrassment keep you away from your healthcare professional or getting the care you need. If you have vaginal bleeding, abnormal smelling vaginal discharge, itching, an uncomfortable sensation with intercourse, or decreased interest in sexual relations, don’t be embarrassed to share those symptoms! Diana Health providers are trained to address these issues. We are here to support you and ensure you get the best care to address your symptoms. No question or issue is off limits.
• Listen to your body and don’t delay: If you feel like something is not right, tell someone. Don’t worry or suffer in silence. Your healthcare team at Diana Health is here to support you. If you aren’t a Diana Health patient, contact us if we’re in your area, or contact another medical professional. Don’t put off getting something evaluated if it’s bothering or worrying you. Sometimes, delaying evaluation can lead to an issue becoming more serious. You are the expert of you – if something feels “off,” it probably is.
• Make a list of questions: Grab a notebook or use your smartphone to keep track of questions that you want to ask your healthcare professional. It’s easy to forget when you’re sitting in the doctor’s office, and you don’t want to leave the office and then remember the question you intended to ask just a few minutes earlier. Having a list of questions and sharing these at the beginning of your appointment with your healthcare team will make the visit more productive.
• YOU are in charge: You are in charge of your health. When your provider tells you what they are thinking and what they recommend, feel free to ask them questions, including, “Why?”. You are working together with your healthcare team. As a team that is honestly sharing information, you are more likely to get the care that you need and deserve. If you don’t understand something, say something. If you go home and try something and it doesn’t work, don’t give up. Call the office or return for a follow-up visit. Sometimes, complicated problems can take multiple visits to solve. Remember, you are in this together with your Diana Health team.
• Complete your follow-ups: After seeing your provider, it’s important to follow through on the plan that you co-created together. This will allow your provider to assess whether the plan is working for you or if you all need to take treatment in a different direction. It’s important to complete all imaging or blood tests required, and to fill any prescriptions that were recommended. If any of your recommended follow-ups are giving you pause, please reach out to us and let us know. We are partners together in supporting you along our health journey.

Even if you follow the suggestions above, you may still find a time when you encounter a healthcare setting where you don’t feel seen or heard. If so, we hope that this blog has encouraged you to feel empowered to take action. You deserve to be respected, listened to, and supported. Don’t let your voice be silenced. Reach out and advocate for what you need. It may be frustrating to have to reach out again or to seek a second opinion, but remember, you are worth the effort.