Making well-informed decisions starts with having the right information. This is especially true in health care. As a parent or caregiver, you have unique insight into your child’s needs, behaviors and history. Before your child can speak up for themselves, it’s important for you to advocate for them when they’re receiving care. Keep the following tips in mind to help you navigate the health care process.

Be Informed and Prepared for Visits

To make the most of your time with the provider, come prepared to appointments with clear information about your child. This includes:

Specific details about their symptoms

Medical history

Important dates and milestones

Prior diagnoses

Medications they take (including doses and frequency)

The names of other providers they see and why

You’ll also want to come with a list of questions. It’s easy to become overwhelmed in the moment and forget something you wanted to ask. Having questions written down lets you refer back to them when you’re feeling overloaded with information.

Remember, the more prepared you are, the more empowered you’ll feel.

Ask Questions and Take Notes

Speaking of questions, there’s no such thing as too many questions or a dumb question. You’re not an expert in health care. It’s perfectly normal, and expected, for you to have a long list of questions.

Just as important as asking the question, is having a means to remember the answer. Be prepared to take notes. You can type notes on your phone or tablet, record the conversation (with your doctor’s permission) in a voice memo, or use old fashioned pen and paper.

Don’t feel bad if you need to ask the same question more than once, or if you need clarification on the answer. It’s worse to pretend you understand when you don’t. Please feel free to ask a provider to explain something again, or to explain it in a different way. Repeating the information back to the provider is a helpful tool to ensure you understand.

You may request a translator if the language at the facility is not your primary language. You can also ask for a written or picture summary to take home with you.

Lastly, don’t leave the visit until you know how to get in touch with the provider again if you think of more questions.

Build Relationships With Providers

Get to know all the people involved in your child’s care — nurses, doctors, specialists and support staff — and inquire about their lives outside of work. Also, help the providers see your child as more than just a patient. Describe your child and what they like to do outside of the hospital or clinic. Sometimes we become so task-oriented that we lose sight of our connection to one another on a human level.

Prepare Your Child To Speak Up

Advocating for your child in front of them is a great example of modeling. But, when they’re old enough, encourage them to share information and ask questions themselves. This helps them feel comfortable self-advocating while you’re still there to support them, and ensures all relevant information is shared.

Helping your child explain their thoughts, feelings and needs clearly with others are crucial skills you can practice with your child in any setting.

Know Your Child

Most importantly, remember that you are the expert on your child. The doctors and nurses are the experts in their field of study. But no one knows your child as well as you. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and speak up in a respectful, calm way. You are always within your rights to push for answers, ask for a different approach or request a second opinion.

It's important to remember that you and your child’s providers are on the same team. Your perspective ensures the care team has a complete picture. Collaboration between everyone leads to better outcomes for your child.