Managing expectations is such an overused phrase because of its importance. You can be out of balance in an instant when expectations are different than reality. Even a step off a curb that is deeper than expected can deliver a shooting pain to your hip, knee, or back. Or worse, you can fall, literally out of balance. If someone announces in advance that it’s a deep step, you amend expectations and compensate.

Skewed medical expectations can be the worst! Not only is your normal balance disturbed but the emotional overlay can feel like an elephant deciding to take up residence on your lap. Then there’s the unavoidable fear factor, waiting for answers, physical discomfort.

What can you do? Establish medical expectations in the same manner as you would any other project. Listed are both proven general strategies and a few specific to healthcare. They can be applied to all venues along the healthcare continuum: Doctor’s office, the rehab gym, radiology, etc. What the medical provider does is something they have done thousands of times. For you, it could be your first. Your active role in managing expectations will go a long way in keeping anxiety to a minimum.

  1. Communicate early & often to establish active, not passive involvement.
  2. Verify your assumptions by stating them out loud, allowing for correction.
  3. Build two-way relationships so providers will care about you as a person.
  4. When problems arise, address them directly and kindly.
  5. Listen & take notes. If this is a struggle, have a trusted third party fill this role.
  6. Be liberal in asking questions, and arrive at appointments with written questions.
  7. Agree on a plan of care that satisfies you & that the provider verbalizes is reasonable.
  8. Understand that changes to the plan are expected, not the sign of a problem.
  9. Work with the provider to set realistic expectations.
  10. Recognize there are not always answers. You will not always have a definitive diagnosis for the problem you are having. Medical conditions are often treated symptomatically.

Most of all, be in your own game. This is not a spectator sport. Be active. Be involved. Be an awesome team player.

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