The Women’s Health Playbook

Game Day: Navigating the Appointment

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EPISODE 4 — If you are nervous, scared to ask the hard questions, or have a history of shutting down in the exam room, you are not alone. This is an experience many women dread, but it is one we can take control of. In this episode, Amanda Berk, co-founder of the patient advocacy startup LIORA Health, coaches us through navigating the exam room. She breaks down why your 15-minute slot must be prioritized for your goals, how an advocate acts as your ultimate "wingwoman," and the specific phrases you can use to redirect a distracted clinician and have your lived experience taken seriously.

In this episode, we walk you through these key topics:

  • 15-Minute Game Plan: Realistically prioritizing your pressing issues and setting "SMART" goals for what you want to achieve before the appointment.
  • Level-Setting the Vibe: Why clinicians aren't evil (they’re strapped by the system) and how to vulnerably share your history of dismissal to build rapport early.
  • The Advocate’s Roster: The vital, note-taking role a friend, family member, or professional advocate plays in keeping you present and accountable (so you don’t just say, "I’m fine").
  • The Redirect: Tactical advice and "audibles" for when a clinician is distracted, dismissive, or looking at their screen, empowering you to "take up space."
  • Bringing "TikTok Research": How to present your own Google/AI/social media findings without offending the clinician, framing it to ask for their clinical expertise.
  • The Fertility Check: Why you must ask "early and often" how new diagnoses or treatments will impact your fertility, regardless of your immediate plans.

    • Explore more episodes and get the full breakdown including show notes, tactics, resources, and complete transcript at womenshealthplaybook.com.

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    The Women’s Health PlaybookBy Priya Bathija