Quick Read: Healthcare can move quickly. Information can be hard to process in the moment. Speaking up helps us understand our care, make informed decisions, and reduce risk.
When you need care, speaking up matters
Appointments are often short, information can come at us very quickly. It is a common feeling to leave an appointment and realise later there were questions we didn’t ask because we didn’t feel confident in the moment, we don’t want to be seen as being difficult or a bother. But speaking up is one of the most practical ways to protect our health.
Why active participation matters
When we ask questions, we improve our understanding of what is happening, and
clear understanding supports informed decision making. This is also known as self-advocacy.
Self-advocacy and being active and engaged in our care can be:
- asking for the information in plain language, printed out or re-explained
- checking what happens next in the sequence of care
- raising concerns when something doesn’t feel right
Healthcare works best when we, the ‘healthcare consumers’, and our clinicians share information clearly and make decisions together.
This does not mean the responsibility sits only with us. Health services and clinicians also have a duty to communicate clearly, support informed decisions, and respond to concerns.
What self-advocacy can look like
Self-advocacy does not need to be confrontational, often it’s just simple, direct questions, such as:
- What is this test for?
- What are my options?
- What happens next?
- What side effects could this have?
- Who do I contact if the symptoms change?
- Can what is happening to me be explained another way?
Remember, it is also totally ok to bring a support person to an appointment if you need one. A family member, friend, or carer can help us remember information and ask follow-up questions.
Another practical step to make sure you understand everything is to repeat the information back for clarity. You can say something like:
“I want to check I understand. You are asking me to do X, then Y, then come back in two weeks. Is that correct?”
This is an easy way to reduce confusion and catch any misunderstandings early.
When to speak up and how to prepare
Speaking up can feel difficult, especially when we’re unwell or stressed, however it is important to speak up during an appointment or after an appointment when:
- we don’t understand what we have been told
- symptoms change or get worse
- something does not seem right
- we feel pressured to agree to something and we may not feel ready
- we feel like we’re not being truly heard
- we need an interpreter, support person, or more accessible information
Here are some easy actions for the next conversation with a doctor, physio, pharmacist or other healthcare professional:
- Before an appointment write down the top three questions or concerns
- During the appointment
- ask for plain language if something is unclear ‘explain it like I’m 5’
- take notes or bring someone to support you and help understand and remember the conversation
- repeat back key information to check our understanding is correct
- After an appointment
- write down next steps, including tests, referrals, and follow-up dates
- If something does not feel right:
- raise it clearly and calmly
- seek a second opinion if needed
- contact a consumer advocacy or support service if you need system navigation
Self-advocacy matters aka stronger voices = better care!
Many of us have had to advocate for ourselves or someone we care for, this is common. We shouldn’t have to do everything alone; health services have responsibilities to ensure you understand what is happening and what your healthcare rights are.
Our voice remains one of the most effective tools in our healthcare. Speaking up helps us stay informed, reduce risk, and take part in decisions about our care.