Before the appointment
Identify your priorities, organize your questions and relevant information, and clarify what you want to understand when you leave.
Appointment advocacy
An experienced nurse helping you prepare for, take part in, and understand important appointments.
Important appointments move quickly. An RN advocate helps you organize what matters most beforehand, can be an extra set of experienced ears when appropriate, and helps you and your family make sense of next steps afterward.
When appointment support helps
- A new specialist, a complicated diagnosis discussion, or a care-plan review.
- You tend to think of important questions after you've left the room.
- You want someone knowledgeable with you when you speak with your doctors.
- Family members want to be involved but can't all be there.
Before, during and after
During the appointment
Where legally and operationally appropriate, attend by phone or video, or in person when available, to help your concerns be heard and take non-clinical notes.
After the appointment
Review what you heard, capture next steps, and help family members understand what comes next.
Your advocate supports preparation, organization, and communication. We do not diagnose, recommend treatment, or replace your clinician.
Common questions
Questions families often ask
Can you attend medical appointments?
Where legally and operationally appropriate and when contracted to do so, support may be available virtually, by phone, or in person. In-person services are subject to availability, location, travel requirements, and the nature of the engagement.
Do you communicate with doctors?
Where appropriate, and with the client's permission, an advocate may take part in communications with healthcare providers. Often the most valuable work happens before and after appointments: helping you prepare and helping you understand next steps.
Does the nurse replace my doctor?
No. Your advocate works alongside your healthcare team, not in place of them. Your physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists remain responsible for your medical care.
Your Nurse. Your Advocate. Your Guide.
Have an important appointment coming up?
Let's talk about how to help you prepare.
Guided by a Nurse is not an emergency medical service. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek appropriate emergency medical care.