Healthcare is not the same as it used to be.  Decades ago, you went to your doctor when you were sick or injured--or they came to you--they told you what was wrong, they fixed it, and you did whatever they told you.  No questions asked.  

Today's world of healthcare could not be more different.  Now you are encouraged to see your provider even when nothing is wrong, so that nothing becomes wrong.  For that to work, you have to SPEAK UP.  That means asking questions, volunteering information (no matter how unimportant it may seem), meeting with your provider any time your health changes, and including loved ones in your care who can advocate for you.  Ultimately, you need to speak up to your primary care provider so that he/she knows everything going on in your life and can help decide when certain tests or medications are needed.  Your provider also needs to know about your health so they can coordinate with all of your other specialty providers and ensure your medications don't conflict and nothing is being missed.  That all starts by advocating for yourself when you SPEAK UP.

SpeakUp™ is a program in partnership with the Joint Commission, aimed at teaching patients to take an active and proactive role in their personal health and wellness.  Patient Advocate and Patient Safety Officer Deb Wood, RN, joined the Pulse podcast to discuss the importance of SpeakUp™, how to speak up, and how it is being implemented at Perry Memorial Hospital.