Have you ever felt that your healthcare provider isn’t listening to you? It’s common for doctor’s appointments to feel rushed and for providers to seem dismissive or like they aren’t taking your concerns seriously.

But having clear communication with your healthcare provider is necessary for effective care and treatment. Before your next appointment, try these tips to ensure you're being heard and that your relationship with your provider is a solid base for quality care.

Why You May Not Feel Heard By Your Doctor

Communication gaps can be partially blamed on how the healthcare system works today. “Healthcare professionals are under greater pressure than ever to see more people in less time,” says Jennifer Kilkus, Ph.D., a board-certified clinical health psychologist and assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine. “That means they may focus visits on what they feel is relevant and dismiss whatever they think is not under their area of focus.”

Short visits can lead to quick decisions and the simplest explanation for your concerns, Kilkus says. But if the provider assumes too much or doesn’t take the time to truly listen, problems could occur.

“The potential longer-term consequences are significant,” says Kilkus. “Medical concerns that have been missed or minimized can, and do, result in missed diagnoses or worsening symptoms that become harder to treat over time.”

5 Tips for Advocating for Yourself at a Doctor’s Visit

Advocating for yourself and your health involves building a healthy relationship with your provider. It will take effort on your part to gain a deep understanding of yourself, your body, and your symptoms, and to prepare for your appointment.

1. Write Everything Down

Kilkus recommends documenting how long you've had your symptoms, if they’ve changed over time or you’ve had them before, and what helps ease them. Know your medical history and bring a list of your medications with you, too.

These details can make it easier for a provider to understand how to best diagnose or treat you. If possible, start your list in the months or weeks leading up to your appointment, so you can add details as you think of them. Don’t be afraid to look at your list (whether it’s on your phone or paper) to reference the information as you speak to your provider.

2. Bring Someone You Trust

If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can bring a trusted friend or family member with you to your visit. “That gives you some ‘backup’ with another set of ears and someone to support you if a concern you have gets sidestepped,” says Kilkus.

Prep your friend or family member with your concerns before your visit. They can help you remember what you’re planning to say and remind you during the appointment. They can also take notes to help you remember instructions or answers after the visit.

3. Speak Up on Behalf of Your Health

Your priority in this situation is your health, so try to put any hesitations or shyness aside at your appointment and stand up for yourself.

“You know yourself best, and you know what's normal for you and what's not, so don't be afraid to disagree if you get told that you're just getting older, you're too young to have this problem, you just need to lose weight, or any other statement that waves off your worry,” says Kilkus. “Being assertive is not being rude. It's okay to insist.”

Kilkus also says that if your provider doesn’t follow up on a concern, you can ask why and request that they document their refusal in your medical chart.

4. Take a Moment to Reflect After Your Visit

It can be tempting to try to forget about your appointment after it’s over, especially if it was frustrating, exhausting, or you didn’t get the answers you wanted. But taking time to reflect is helpful.

Destiny Davis, a licensed therapist specializing in chronic illness in Atlanta, even encourages her clients to get out a pen and paper and journal about it.

Think about what went well, what didn't go well, what you now understand, and what you still don’t. Reflecting can help you realize any next steps you should take. For example, you may decide to ask your provider follow-up questions through their patient portal or a phone call, to prepare differently for your next visit, or even to find a new provider.

5. Consider Getting a Second Opinion

It’s important that your provider is the right match for you, your communication style, and your specific needs. And there may be times when going to a different provider offers the fresh start that you need.

“If you don't feel like you can trust your doctor to work in your best interest, or to take your concerns seriously, it's time to find someone else,” says Kilkus.

Find someone who has the attributes that are most impactful to your care, suggests Davis. And don’t be afraid to continue to try new providers until you find one that’s the right fit.

Learning to advocate for yourself is an essential step in your health journey. Clear communication with your provider means more trust, respect, and ultimately, better healthcare.