When You’re the Patient, Who’s Paying Attention? | How to Advocate for Yourself in the Hospital

What happens when YOU become the patient? Even capable, informed women can feel overwhelmed during a hospital stay. When you’re sick, frightened, exhausted or in pain, it can be difficult to absorb medical information, remember what doctors said, keep track of medications and understand the plan for your care. In this week’s Conversation with Lorie, nurse and healthcare advocate Lorie Gardner explores why patient advocacy matters during a hospitalization — and why having someone you trust beside you can make such a difference. This isn’t about distrusting doctors or questioning every medical decision. It’s about knowing how to participate in your healthcare, ask questions, understand what’s happening and have another set of eyes and ears when you’re not at your best. We’ll talk about healthcare advocacy, communicating with your medical team, navigating a hospital stay, understanding your care plan and one important conversation to have BEFORE you ever need it. Ask yourself: If I landed in the hospital tomorrow, who would be my person? And then ask: Do they know? Subscribe and join me every Tuesday for another Conversation with Lorie about healthy aging, women’s wellness and becoming your own best healthcare advocate. VIDEO CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome: When You're the Patient, Who's Watching Out for You? 01:10 Imagine This: From Waking Up Sick to the ER 02:55 Lorie's Hospital Story and Calling the Patient Representative 04:12 When the Capable Woman Becomes the Patient 06:37 Healthcare Is a Team Sport 09:46 Inside a Hospital Stay and Why Patient Portals Matter 11:45 Who Is Your Person? 13:39 What "Paying Attention" Really Means 16:09 Information Isn't the Same as Judgment 17:17 When You Can't Speak for Yourself: Advance Directives and Five Wishes 18:37 A Tale of Two Women and Being Prepared 20:48 What If You Do Nothing? Discharge and Follow-Up 22:59 One Small Step: Choose Your Person and Have the Conversation #HealthcareAdvocacy #PatientAdvocate #PatientAdvocacy #WomensHealth #HealthyAging #HospitalStay #ConversationsWithLorie