The Secret to Better Health Isn't More Appointments

It's Understanding the Ones You Already Have

October is Health Literacy Month. You might be wondering what that has to do with you.

Here’s the thing: most of us leave the doctor’s office confused. We nod along during appointments, then get home and realize we don’t actually understand what we’re supposed to do. Sound familiar?

This isn’t about being smart or dumb. It’s about a broken system where medical professionals speak in jargon and nobody bothers to translate.

The Real Cost of Not Understanding

Let me tell you about Margaret. She got prescribed a new blood pressure medication, and the doctor said to take it “twice daily.” Simple enough, right? Except Margaret took both pills at breakfast because that’s when she remembered.

Three weeks later, she ended up in the ER with dangerously low blood pressure.

The problem wasn’t Margaret. The problem was that nobody explained “twice daily” means morning and evening, spaced 12 hours apart. That one misunderstanding cost her a hospital visit, hundreds in medical bills, and a scary health crisis that could have been avoided.

This happens more often than you’d think. Studies show that nearly 9 out of 10 adults struggle to understand and use health information effectively.

What Health Literacy Actually Means

Forget the fancy definition. Health literacy is simply being able to understand what your doctor tells you and knowing what to do about it.

Can you read your prescription labels? Do you know when to take your medications? Can you spot the warning signs that mean you need to call your doctor?

If you’re shaking your head at any of these, you’re not alone. The healthcare system assumes everyone understands medical terminology. But why should you know what “hypertension” means when “high blood pressure” works just fine?

Think about it this way: you wouldn’t expect your doctor to fix a leaking faucet. Why should you be expected to decode medical speak without help?

Where Things Go Wrong Most Often

Medication instructions top the list. Those tiny print labels might as well be written in code. “Take with food” sounds clear until you wonder: how much food? A cracker? A full meal? Does coffee count?

Then there’s the discharge paperwork after hospital stays. You’re tired, possibly in pain, and someone hands you a stack of papers filled with instructions. You’re supposed to remember everything while you’re just trying to get home and rest.

Insurance forms create their own nightmare. Deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums. Half the time, the people working at insurance companies can’t explain these terms clearly.

And don’t get me started on consent forms. You’re nervous about a procedure, and they ask you to sign something with 15 paragraphs of legal jargon.

The Questions You’re Afraid to Ask

Here’s what nobody talks about: we don’t ask questions because we feel embarrassed. We worry the doctor will think we’re wasting their time or that we’re not smart enough to understand.

I get it. The doctor is already running late. There are people in the waiting room. You don’t want to be “that patient” who holds everything up. Believe me - I know that one.

But here’s one thing I’ve learned: doctors would rather answer your questions now than treat complications later. A good doctor wants you to understand. If yours doesn’t have time for questions, that’s a red flag about your doctor, not about you.

Your health is not the place to stay quiet. Whether you or your insurance is paying for this appointment, you deserve clear answers.

Simple Strategies That Work

Start writing things down before your appointment. What symptoms are you having? What questions do you need answered? Bring the list with you.

During the appointment, take notes. If your hands shake, your vision isn’t great, or you otherwise feel you need help, bring someone with you to write things down. This isn’t the time to be ashamed.

Repeat back what you heard in your own words. “So you’re saying I should take this pill every morning with breakfast, is that right?” This gives the doctor a chance to correct any misunderstandings right there.

Ask for things to be written down. Don’t rely on memory, especially if you’re stressed or not feeling well. Most doctors will happily write instructions if you ask.

When Technology Actually Helps

Your smartphone can be your best friend here. Most doctors don’t mind if you record the conversation (just ask first). Being able to replay instructions at home is incredibly valuable. (Suggestion: make sure you know how to start a recording before you get to the office.)

Patient portals sound complicated, but they’re just websites where you can see your test results and read your doctor’s notes. Yes, the notes still use medical terms, but you can look those up at your own pace. Personally, I use patient portals all the time because I’m not fond of talking on the phone, but that’s just me.

There are apps specifically designed to help manage medications. They send reminders and track when you took what. Some even show pictures of your pills so you don’t mix them up.

Video calls with doctors have become normal since 2020. They’re perfect for follow-up appointments where you need to ask clarifying questions but don’t need a physical exam. The farther away from your doctor’s office you are, the better a video call is!

The Family Conversation Nobody Wants

If you have aging parents, you need to know what’s happening with their health. Not to take over, but to help when needed.

Offer to go to appointments. Frame it as wanting to learn, not as checking up on them. “I’d like to understand more about your condition” goes over better than “I don’t think you understand what the doctor said.”

Help set up a medication system. Pill organizers aren’t just for people with memory problems. They prevent mistakes for everyone.

What Good Health Literacy Looks Like

You should be able to explain your condition to a friend in plain language. If you can’t, you probably don’t understand it well enough yourself.

You know what your medications do and why you’re taking them. Not just the name, but the actual purpose. “This one is for my heart” isn’t enough. “This prevents irregular heartbeats” is better.

You can recognize warning signs that need immediate attention versus things that can wait for a regular appointment. Chest pain? Call 911. Slight headache? Probably okay to wait.

You’re comfortable asking questions and advocating for yourself. You speak up when something doesn’t seem right.

Moving Forward From Here

Health Literacy Month isn’t just about awareness. It’s a reminder to take action. Pick one thing from this article and do it this week.

Schedule that appointment you’ve been putting off. Write down your questions. Ask your doctor to explain something you’ve been confused about.

Your health is too important to let confusion get in the way. You deserve to understand what’s happening with your body and how to take care of it.

The healthcare system isn’t going to fix itself overnight. But you can fix your own situation, one question at a time.

What’s the one health term you’ve been nodding along to without really understanding? That’s your starting point.