By: Ayesha Mohammad, University of Illinois Chicago Dietetic Intern
About the Author: Ayesha Mohammad is a dietetic student and intern currently earning her BS degree in nutrition science at the University of Chicago in Illinois. She has a passion for public health and is currently working on research linking nutrition to cancer risk in urban populations. She hopes to help address health disparities across the globe.
Over the years, many health care professionals and facilities have supported the move towards individualized patient care, instead of using the same set of practices for everyone. Several studies1,2 have found that health outcomes for patients improve when healthcare professionals take patient life circumstances into account. How do these findings help you, an ordinary consumer looking to improve your health?
Determinants of Health
Many people are surprised to learn that barriers to health are sometimes dependent on things outside of the doctor’s or dietitian’s office—many obstacles to nutrition are rooted in social, economic, and environmental factors. Seeking care from a dietitian for nutritional concerns (or a physician for overall health concerns) is an important step towards making changes to your lifestyle, but understanding the different factors that are affecting you outside the dietitian’s office can help you sustain those changes long-term.
Let’s define these determinants of health:
- Social: literacy level, educational opportunities, gender, race/ethnicity, occupation, social support, community involvement, culture, religion, personal preferences
- Economic: income level, employment, market prices of food/supplies, food insecurity
- Environmental: neighborhood, safety, recreational opportunities, access to clean water and air, toxicity in the environment, crime rates, segregation, access to housing
The list above is not exhaustive, but it can be a good starting point to think about the many things that may be affecting your lifestyle. Identifying potential barriers to health is a good way to remind yourself that change is always possible, but it will look different from person to person. There is no one-size-fits-all diet! Your health care plan should be customized to your specific needs.
Advocate for Yourself
Healthcare professionals are trained to develop a relationship with the client and assess their needs. But because health and nutrition are also intertwined with your personal life experiences, there may be some things that your provider will not be aware of. It might seem difficult to communicate these experiences with a new provider. How can you share your specific needs and advocate for yourself?
- Ask Questions. It’s normal to be unfamiliar with certain terms or phrases that a provider is using. In other cases, you might feel like what the provider is saying is different from what you’ve read online or heard from other people. Know that it is acceptable to ask about these concerns and feel free to ask for extra educational resources.
- Be Prepared. Your goal during your visit is to clear up any concerns you have and to leave with a solid understanding of what steps you can take next. If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed before your appointment, it can be helpful to jot down some things that you would like to discuss at the visit. Change takes commitment—if you feel like you’re at a standstill, refer back to the list of health determinants to think of what else you or your provider might be missing. If you’re worried about costs or insurance, remember that providing affordable options is part of a provider’s responsibility.
- Set Boundaries. Knowing a patient’s story can be helpful for the provider when coming up with a care plan, but it’s OK to choose not to share everything at once. If you’re unsure where to begin, ask the provider what kind of information would be helpful for them. If they ask about personal information that you’re not comfortable sharing, let them know. If at any point you feel that your preferences or privacy are not being respected, you have the right to look for a different provider.
Find the Right Team
You know what works best for you. Learn about your provider before you make an appointment. If you have specific concerns, such as managing diabetes, you can look up providers who specialize in those fields. Double-check their credentials, experiences, and reviews, if there are any. A good patient-provider relationship takes culture and values into consideration as well. You may want to find a provider that understands your culture, traditional food, and diet restrictions. Online support groups and personal references are also good ways to find a provider that comes with a recommendation.
References:
- Journal of Hospital Medicine: Individualized Care Plans (2015)
- American College of Physicians: Patient-Centered Decision-Making (2013)
