The Advice Physician Leaders Share with Their Loved Ones About Navigating Health Care

When someone you care about needs medical advice, where do you tell them to start? We posed a version of that question to three physician leaders from BJC HealthCare, whose advice went beyond treating illness. It's about building relationships, asking the best questions, understanding your health history, and becoming an active participant in your care.

Taken together, their insights reveal an important truth: The people who navigate health care most successfully aren't necessarily medical experts. They're informed, curious, and engaged in their own health.

Meet the experts 

Kimberly Borchers, MD

Chief Medical Officer of Parkland Health Center  

Dr. Borchers is a family medicine physician and obstetrician, allowing her to see women for their preventive exams, take care of them during pregnancy, and continue to care for both mother and child, regardless of age. Dr. Borchers was born at Parkland Health Center and feels very fortunate to now care for her community as a physician.

Bradley Freeman, MD

WashU Medicine acute and critical care surgeon, Chief Medical Officer of Christian Hospital

Dr. Freeman is a critical care surgeon specializing in complex wound management.  

Matthew Broom, MD

Chief Medical Officer of BJC Medical Group

Dr. Broom leads BJC Medical Group physicians and advanced practice providers while helping ensure high-quality care for about 630,000 patients each year at more than 200 care locations across the St. Louis region.

The advice  

What's the first thing you tell a friend or family member who has a health concern?

Dr. Borchers: 'Call your primary care provider.'

"Your primary care provider should be your go-to for concerns that aren’t emergencies. They can address most issues and make sure you get the care you need.  

"My aunt had a suspicious mole, but the wait to see a dermatologist was nine months. I encouraged her to go see her family physician, who was able to remove the mole and found it was pre-cancerous. If she had waited those nine months to see the specialist, it may have worsened."  

What advice do you have for people who want to take a more active role in their health and health care?

Dr. Freeman: “Your health is one of your most valuable assets. As with any asset, your health requires an investment of time and energy. It is important to take ownership of your health. No one can do this for you. This includes exercising regularly, following a prudent diet, getting adequate rest, and pursuing mindfulness. Lack of attention to any of these areas will detract from your ability to optimize your health and enjoy life to the fullest.

“Ownership also extends to how you interact with your medical providers. When you seek medical care, be curious, ask questions, and do outside research. Physicians and nurses are natural teachers and enjoy explaining things. Take advantage of this to fully understand your medical condition and treatment recommendations. It is helpful to write down questions you would like to ask your provider and to keep a journal of your medical visits. Take the time to understand what medicines you are taking and why you are taking them, why you are getting an X-ray or other test, and the pros and cons of undergoing a recommended surgical procedure.  

“We all have more information at our fingertips today than at any time in history. Capitalize on this. An informed patient is an empowered patient. An empowered patient will be able to get the most out of their health care visit.”

What do patients often overlook when deciding where to seek care?

Dr. Broom: “Patients do a nice job of asking their family, friends, and colleagues for referrals. I believe they should also take time to read our provider reviews online. On top of that, consider what your experience will be like. Things like appointment availability, communication with the care team, and the ability to see the same physician over time can make it easier to get the care you need and feel confident in your health care.”

What is one thing patients can do to build a better relationship with their physician?

Dr. Borchers: “Be honest about symptoms, concerns, and challenges you may have following a treatment plan. Open communication helps physicians provide care personalized to you and that will fit your life.”

What's one misconception people have about health care?  

Dr. Borchers: "Many people think they should simply follow instructions without asking questions. In reality, we want you to know everything about what we are doing and why we are doing it. Ask lots of questions and be a part of your care team—after all, you are the most important member. Our ultimate goal is to keep you healthy."

Is there a question that patients often don’t ask but should?

Dr. Borchers: "'What would you do?' We are trained to give every option possible to our patients. By asking your provider what they would do in your situation, you may get a different perspective on risks versus benefits or what would produce the best outcome."  

Dr. Broom: “It may be helpful to ask your provider, ‘Are you worried?’ or, ‘When should I be worried?’ depending on the context. Then, the patient and their family can quickly understand the level of concern or urgency in any conversation.”

What are the benefits of receiving care within a large health system like BJC HealthCare?

Dr. Broom: "A large health system can make it easier to get the care you need, when you need it. Most health concerns can be managed close to home, but if you need more specialized care, your providers can help connect you to the right experts and services without having to navigate the process on your own. It ensures you receive the right level of care for your health concern, and the care is also more coordinated between providers within a health system."

What does coordinated care mean for patients?  

Dr. Broom: “It means that, from the initial call or clinic visit to an emergency or hospital stay, and through follow-up care, the entire team is working from the same information. Physicians, nurses, and other caregivers communicate with one another, share records, and understand the patient's story, helping create a more seamless experience for patients and their families.”

Why is it important that a physician understands someone’s history?  

Dr. Broom: “Understanding a patient’s history helps physicians make more informed decisions, identify potential risk factors, avoid unnecessary testing, and develop a care plan that reflects each patient’s unique needs and circumstances.”

What information should every patient know about their health to help their doctor get a full picture of their health history?  

Dr. Freeman: “Know your medications, allergies, major medical conditions, surgeries, and family history. Review your records, keep your medications up to date, and use patient portals such as MyChart to stay informed and communicate with your care team.”

How do you explain the benefit of getting care at a health system with an academic partner to friends and family?  

Dr. Freeman: “The partnership between BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine enables the delivery of leading-edge, high-quality care close to where patients live.”

Dr. Borchers: "Being part of an academic health system keeps us up to date with all the latest advances in medicine."

Dr. Broom: “Having a partnership with WashU Medicine goes a long way because it means we can connect patients directly to a specialist so they can get the right level of expertise when needed.”

Finding the right care starts with building a relationship with a trusted primary care provider, asking questions, and staying actively involved in your health. Get started with finding a provider.