5. She stays on top of screenings
Even a doctor needs a doctor, and McBride is no exception. It took a bit of trial and error to find a physician she liked, but they’ve developed trust, which is key for good health.
“I’m a real partner with her,” she says. “I pretend I’m not a doctor when I see her.”
McBride makes sure she is prompt with screenings and vaccines. Her doctor asks good questions, keeps her informed about her health recommendations and treats her like more than a lab test — something McBride values.
To find a great primary care doctor, pay attention to the their interpersonal skills. Also, see how the doctor reacts when they don’t know something. If they don’t have the answer, what matters is that they follow up and get it, McBride says. Realize that they probably don’t have a ton of time to interact with you, which is a result of the system, not the doctor, McBride says.
Beyond the Prescription: A Doctor’s Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health by Lucy McBride
Lucy McBride
Advice for taking charge of your health
McBride’s book delves into topics including how to understand health data, healthy eating, dealing with injuries, caring for your brain and prioritizing mental health.
People largely don’t know what’s possible when they have a doctor who understands their health beyond what lab tests show. “Most Americans haven’t been given access to a physician who has time to think about the invisible, unmeasurable elements of health and how they play a role in your everyday life, like your childhood, your upbringing … how they inform your relationship with food, your relationship with alcohol, your relationship with work … your tolerance for risk, your stress, your anxiety, your mood,” she explains.
She encourages readers — and patients — to map their health ecosystem. “It’s much more nuanced than just a set of lab tests,” she says.
Another way to be more empowered at the doctor’s is to understand your “patient personality,” which means knowing what version of yourself you bring to the visit. You may just want a prescription or the doctor to interpret tests. Some people want permission to try a new treatment but instead ask about risks and benefits. When you are aware of your patient personality, “you stop bumping up against the same frustrations and start working with your natural tendencies instead of against them,” she says.
Ask your doctor
In her book, McBride gives lists of questions to ask your doctor. Here are a few standouts:
Could you help me understand what this test result means in the context of my health situation and risk factors? Which intervention is the most important for me to start right away, and what data do we expect will change? How significant is the change in my numbers from last time? What do you suggest I eat in a day? Which supplements and vitamins do I absolutely need? Which ones might do harm? What warning sights should I watch for that would indicate that I need to modify my activity?