As with almost every field, medicine offers countless avenues of care, health, and improvement. While it is amazing that the care we need is available, the medical system like most systems in our culture, is not that simple to navigate. To live long lives and be healthy, we have to make the time to think about how we will navigate these systems to our advantage.
Technology
The ability to access our medical records online is amazing and getting better every day. This really helps one to navigate their medical care, and the better you understand these systems the better you can manage your care. Just recently, the technology was improved to improve multiple medical providers and groups which makes this technology event better.
Health Assessment
It's good to take some time to do a health assessment of yourself and those you care for. What takes priority with regard to health--besides a healthy lifestyle, what appointments, vaccines, and procedures will help you to be healthy? How might you prioritize those appointments so that you can fit them in and financially afford that care?
Research
It's good to research your health priorities so you understand what it takes to support those procedures in healthy, positive ways. For example, sometimes you don't receive information related to a procedure until after the procedure is done. That can be problematic since you are often sore or uncomfortable at the end of a procedure and may not be able to give those directions your full attention. If you do the research before a procedure, then you can prepare your home and activities for the recovery days. I learned this the hard way recently. Sore from a dental procedure, I wasn't able to give the follow-up procedures the attention they deserved and at home I didn't have the foods or set-up to support recovery. After a minor issue occurred related to the recovery, I did a lot of reading and made the corrections needed. I should have been ready for the recovery prior to the procedure--that would have helped. From now on I'll do that with any upcoming medical procedures of any kind.
Time
Time is a critical factor when it comes to good health. Many don't make the time to attend to their health in optimal ways. To live a healthy life, you have to make the time to attend to health. Some professions don't provide enough time or conditions for good health and physicality. If you work in a field like that, it's best to work with your union and colleagues to advocate for healthy working conditions so that you have the time and environment to support good health.
Advocate
You have to advocate for your own healthy using the systems, professionals, and information available. It's best to learn how to navigate the medical system well in order to advocate for yourself and your loved ones so you might live as healthy as possible lifestyle.