How do I make sure doctors and nurses listen to me?

As a parent, you are one of the most important people on your child’s care team. You may not be familiar with all the medical lingo or what every machine does, but you know your child better than anyone. You are a part of the team as the insider to your child's life and are so incredibly valuable because of that perspective.

Being intimidated when surrounded by white coats at a doctor's office is completely normal, especially if you are a new medical parent. But being a great advocate for your child means being open to communicating, even when it feels sticky. Here are a few tips:

• Ask for clarity if you don’t understand something.
• Don't pretend you understand something that you don't understand.
• Ask them to explain things in another way.
• Ask them to write down any information so you can look at it again later.
• Don’t hesitate to tell them that you have a list of questions and to leave room for your questions at the end.
• Ask for a translator if the language at the hospital is not your primary language (they can even provide a simulcast video translator).
• If conversations feel emotional or confrontational, don’t panic. Express a sentiment such as "I'd like to get your thoughts on this" to phrase things without sounding confrontational.
• If you need time to think, saying, "I can't think of anything to ask right now. Is there a number, email, or some way I can reach out if I do think of a question?" is a great way to allow your mind some time to process.

For more information, see our full article Tips for Advocating for Your Child with Medical Professionals.