What has most influenced the way you view yourself as a consumer of healthcare?

My family has had a great deal of influence on the way I view myself as a consumer of healthcare. Growing up, my parents always emphasized the importance of taking care of oneself and seeking out medical help when it was necessary. Seeing them take their health seriously and make time for preventative doctor’s appointments set an example for me that would stay with me throughout my life.

As a child, I watched my mother be proactive about her own health by consulting multiple doctors, researching symptoms, and advocating for herself in conversations with professionals. She also often took me to her appointments so that I could understand what was going on first-hand, which gave me an early appreciation for the value of expert medical advice and helped shape my current views towards healthcare consumption.

Additionally, both of my parents regularly discussed their insurance plans around the dinner table so that we were educated early on about our coverage options as well as basic financial considerations when it came to selecting providers or treatments. This greatly impacted how I approach healthcare today; not only do I think carefully about which services are worth investing in but also strive to get the most out of each visit by being aware of available discounts or payment plans offered through insurance companies or hospitals. Above all else though, my upbringing taught me the basics: find quality healthcare providers who you can trust and feel comfortable speaking openly with while keeping your best interests in mind at all times–the rest will fall into place.