Not sure about being my own advocate, but I do know I only follow through with about half of what my doctor tells me. Non-compliant patient is me (and Elaine Benes).
I'm told I need X, Y, and Z. Eh, I dunno. It's mostly endless tests and prescriptions that may or may not help prevent a condition I may or may not get. My primary care doctor's first inclination is to refer me to a specialist for every dratted thing. Mostly I decline. There's so much health information available online now that I'm done taking any doctor's one-size-fits-all word for anything. It's my decision to make, not theirs.
I honestly think a lot of doctors have gotten carried away with "preventive" measures (in quotes on purpose) and shielding themselves from lawsuits by testing and over-prescribing.
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