Self-reflections and advocacy

Self-advocating about your medications  

Advocating for yourself can help make sure that your care meets your needs and reflects your goals, values, and preferences. Self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. can lead to improved health outcomes and allows you to become an active participant in your own care.

You know your own body, your abilities, and lifestyle better than anyone else. For all these reasons, it is important to self-advocate for yourself.

What is self-advocacy?

Infographic of a woman in a wheelchair with text on image stating "self advocacy: speaking up for yourself and the things that are important to you". Aspects of self advocacy include asking questions, keeping notes, and being prepared.

Self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. is understanding your strengths and needs, identifying your personal goals, knowing your legal rights and responsibilities, and communicating these with others in a respectful and professional way.

Self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. means speaking up for yourself and the things that are important to you. Some examples of self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. include:

  1. Asking questions: Discuss anything you do not understand or are not sure about with your healthcare provider. Remember to ask about the pros and cons of treatments and medications.
  2. Keeping notes: Tracking test results, doctor’s name, diagnosis, advice, and what medications have been prescribed.
  3. Being prepared: Bringing your updated medication list with you to any appointments along with notes, medical reports, and a list of questions.

You are your greatest advocate

There are THREE important steps to becoming an effective self-advocate:

1. Define the problem

It is important to understand what your needs are. The more you know, the easier it will be to explain to others what you need. Come up with a clear, concise statement that tells people what the issue is.

2. Develop a plan

In Canada, individuals with physical and/or hidden disabilities are guaranteed equal access and equal rights. The better you understand your disability as well as your needs and rights, the better you will be able to communicate and document this information to advocate for yourself. You may have to do some research to find options available to you.

Ask yourself:

  • What are key steps to carrying out my plan?
  • Who can I ask for help?
  • How much help do I need?

3. Get what you need

Carry out your plan. Self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. can be a long process, so you must plan, research, and know when to ask for support. Keep in mind that self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. is a learning process, and it may take time to see results.

Advocating about medications is important across different settings to ensure that you create a safe medication plan that aligns with your values and goals related to medication-taking. See Weighing the pros and cons of taking a medication.

There are different ways you can advocate for yourself across different healthcare settings. Here are some strategies for self-advocating about medications in different care settings:  

Inpatient Acute Hospital

  • Know what medications you are taking: Be familiar with the name of the medication, dose, and what it looks like so you can describe it to your healthcare team after being admitted to the hospital.
  • Ask to see a pharmacist early in your hospital stay.
  • Ask for and participate in medication reconciliation The process of comparing a patient’s medication history to their current set of medications. : Ensure that there is a thorough review of your medication regimen during transitions in care (e.g. at transfer, admission, and discharge). This involves learning about what is being prescribed, how long you will have to take it, and if this is a temporary change (e.g. you will take this medication only while you are in hospital or while sick).
  • Ask questions: Ask about medications that you will be prescribed in hospital and seek clarification if anything is unclear.
  • Maintain a medication list: Create a list with all your medications on it (prescription, over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. , natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). ), including any changes that are made to share with your inpatient medical team.
  • Be proactive: Aim to be proactive in communicating your medication history with your healthcare team (e.g. allergies, adverse reactions, concerns).

Inpatient Rehabilitation

  • Understand and set rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. goals: For example, your rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. goals may look like increased independence in daily activities (e.g. dressing, eating meals), navigating stairs, being more independent with medication management or finding available community resources.
  • Communicate with therapists (e.g. physical, occupational): Information about medications can help your therapists customize the rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. plan to your needs.
  • Advocate for adjustments to medications: Side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. from medications may affect rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. progress, so advocate for adjustments in your medication regimen based on what is important to you.
  • Advocate for pain management: Pain can prevent you from reaching your rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. goals. Discuss pain management with your team to optimize rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. .
  • Advocate for sleep management: Sleep is an important aspect of recovery. Discuss with your team options for improving your sleep to optimize your rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. .

Community Setting

  • Establish regular communication: Attend appointments with your primary care provider through regular appointments. Bring a support person (e.g. friend, personal support worker) to appointments, if needed.
  • Be proactive in follow-up appointments: Discuss any changes in medications, side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. , or concerns you may have. If you have noticed changes in your symptoms, have difficulty following aspects of your medication regimen, or have concerns about your current plan, discuss alternatives or adjustments with your healthcare provider.

References

Canberra Health Literacy Hub. (2024, January 9). Self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. for consumers. https://cbrhl.org.au/consumers-carers/communicating-with-a-provider/self-advocacy/

Government of Canada. (2018, September 7). Rights of people with disabilities. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/rights-people-disabilities.html

Houlihan, B., Brody, M., Plant, A., Skeels, S. E., Zazula, J., Pernigotti, D., Green, C., Hasiotis, S., & Jette, A. (2016). Health care self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. strategies for negotiating Health Care Environments: Analysis of recommendations by satisfied consumers with SCI and Sci Practitioners. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. , 22(1), 13–26. https://doi.org/10.1310/sci2201-13

Muscular Dystrophy Canada. (2010, September). Advocacy Toolkit A collection of adaptable documents to inform change and increase the use of evidence-based interventions. . https://muscle.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MDC_Self_Advocacy_Toolkit_EN.pdf

Pain BC. (n.d.). Advocate for better pain management. https://painbc.ca/get-involved/take-action

Spinal Cord Injury Canada. (2023, February 2). Being a self-advocate in a healthcare setting. https://sci-can.ca/blog/being-self-advocate-healthcare-setting#:~:text=Ask%20questions%20about%20anything%20you,medications%20are%20given%2C%20and%20why.

THANC Foundation. (2021, July 22). 7 proven ways patients can practice self-advocacy The ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. . https://thancguide.org/2021/07/the-journey/7-proven-ways-patients-can-practice-self-advocacy/