Medical Safety, Rights & Self Care

Healthcare can be something we find ourselves needing and accessing at different points of our lives for various things. If we have decided to go down the road of medically transitioning, it’s highly likely that we’ll need the help of a professional, too! Attending appointments or procedures or examinations can feel really scary sometimes particularly when, for whatever reasons, we have a ‘complex’ relationship with our bodies. Allowing someone into your personal space, even if they are a medical professional, brings up all sorts of feelings. But, that shouldn’t stop you from accessing the care you need. There are a few things you can do to feel more empowered!

Supports

Organising to have someone to come with you or someone to meet up with after an appointment can help you navigate your feelings, or at the very least, distract you a little. If there isn’t anyone you can organise to come for support or to meet up, consider organising a phone call with someone after the appointment. Alternatively, think about an item to take with you that makes you feel calm or centred. If it’s appropriate, consider taking along some headphones and listening to something while in the waiting area, or during a procedure.

Self Care

Before your appointment

Taking some time to plan ahead can decrease the chances of becoming overwhelmed and/or forgetting something you wanted to talk about in your appointment.

A few tips for before your appointment:

Write down a list of all the things you need to talk to your health practitioner about. Write a list of questions you need answered, leaving room for you to write notes down during your appointment.
Gather any documents you may need or that the practitioner may require.

Consider taking a support person along with you. It can help you to feel safer if you have a familiar face with you or just someone to distract or support you from or through your tricky feelings.
Use music to help. Calming music before, during and/or after the appointment may help in regulating your heartbeat or stress levels. You can also swap out the relaxing for something that makes you feel strong, empowered or comforted in some way.
Meditation can support us to create feelings of safety within ourselves. You could try a common and simple breathing exercise like this one:
Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 seconds.
Hold the breath in for 4 seconds.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds.
Rest with the breath out for 4 seconds.
Repeat the cycle.

Head to this website for a ‘Box Breathing’ timer-that way you don’t have to keep count yourself and it can help having the visual aid there, too!

During your appointment

It’s important to remember that you are in control of your body! No one has any right to do anything without your consent, and there are laws in place to ensure this. Although advocating for yourself can feel really scary, it’s a good skill to master! And if you have someone attend the appointment with you or have brought something along to help you soothe yourself, you can lean on the person or item you bought with you when you start to feel tricky feelings come up.

It can be a good idea to take notes during the appointment to help you remember what as said during the appointment. Sometimes, being scared, nervous, or anxious can cause some difficulty in remembering what happened, or what was said. Taking notes can be helpful, even if they’re brief!

And lastly, when talking with the provider try to remain clear and concise when communicating what you need and be as honest and open as you can. Remember, health practitioners can only support you with what you bring to them. If you need any clarification or more information, you can ask them.

After the appointment

Take some time to process what has happened, what was said, and any actions that you might need following up. This can take some time, depending on what the appointment was about.

Now would be the time to review your notes and make any calls or emails you may be required to make. If you’re feeling ‘at capacity’, plan for when you will be able to action those tasks. You may only have the capacity to replenish yourself, and that’s ok too!

Some tips for replenishing your capacity:

Take a nap with your favourite/weighted blanket.
Practice deep breathing exercises with a stress ball.
Meditate with a guided meditation app.
Eat a balanced meal with colourful, nutritious foods.
Talk with a supportive friend.
Express your feelings through drawing or painting.
Pamper yourself with a skincare routine or warm shower.
Spend some time in nature.

Self care doesn’t need to be serious or boring, it can be whatever you need or want.

@messyvoices

Entering medical appointments where someone will know that you’re trans (when it’s relevant), unless they’re a really inclusive provider, it can be really taxing afterwards. It’s sometimes unpredictable, so self care after that stuff is really important, like putting the appointment at the end of the day so you don’t have to go to work. Having a plan afterwards so you don’t have to ruminate on those feelings – distraction is nice.

On the side of the law…

In Australia, numerous laws and acts are in place to protect us when accessing healthcare. Access to healthcare is recognised globally as a Universal Human Right, showing just how vital and important it is. To further back this up here in Canberra, several legal frameworks ensure your rights are protected:

Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT): This act makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone based on various attributes, including gender identity. This means healthcare providers must offer fair and equal treatment to everyone.
Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986: This act promotes and protects human rights in Australia, including the right to access healthcare without discrimination, reinforcing the commitment to fair treatment for all.
Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 (ACT): This act ensures your health records remain confidential and provides you with the right to access your health information, giving you control over your personal data.
Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth): This federal legislation prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status, guaranteeing equal access to healthcare services for everyone.

These laws are designed to ensure that you can access healthcare safely and with dignity. These are your rights and no one can take these away from you. If you ever feel that your rights have been violated, there are supportive avenues available. You can contact the ACT Human Rights Commission or seek legal advice from the Legal AID. Meridian hosts Legal AID Drop-In Service.

Additionally, the Health Care Consumers Association (HCCA) serves as the peak health consumer organisation in the ACT. HCCA can offer advocacy and support if you need assistance navigating the healthcare system.

More information: