Accessing health care and self-advocacy
Aligned to NHES 3 — SHAPE America National Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Soon you will navigate health care on your own, so it helps to know how to find valid health information and services, understand the basics of insurance and care, and advocate for yourself. Self-advocacy means asking questions, describing your symptoms clearly, and making sure your concerns are heard. These skills are essential for independent adult life.
Worked example
At a doctor's visit, practicing self-advocacy looks like writing down your questions beforehand, describing exactly what hurts and for how long, and asking the doctor to explain anything you do not understand.
Practice questions
- Name one thing to prepare before a doctor visit.
- What does self-advocacy mean in health care?
- Why is it useful to understand health insurance basics?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Acceso a servicios de salud y autodefensa personal
Pronto tendrás que manejar tu atención médica por tu cuenta, por lo que es útil saber cómo encontrar información y servicios de salud confiables, entender los conceptos básicos del seguro médico y la atención, y abogar por ti mismo. La autodefensa personal significa hacer preguntas, describir tus síntomas con claridad y asegurarte de que tus preocupaciones sean escuchadas. Estas habilidades son esenciales para la vida adulta independiente.
Ejemplo: En una visita al médico, practicar la autodefensa personal implica anotar tus preguntas con anticipación, describir exactamente qué te duele y desde cuándo, y pedirle al médico que te explique cualquier cosa que no entiendas.
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