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How to Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate: Lessons From the Lindsay Clancy Case and Healthcare System Failures
Most of us walk into a hospital, doctor’s office, or specialist appointment believing there are systems in place to protect us.
The pharmacist checks the medication.
The physician reviews the symptoms.
The surgeon follows the protocol.
The nurses monitor the patient.
The specialists communicate with one another.
And if something starts going wrong, someone catches it.
But what happens when several small failures happen at the same time?
What happens when the warning signs are there, but nobody stops long enough to connect them?
That is what I want to talk about today—and why I believe learning how to be your own healthcare advocate is such an important part of protecting your health and wellbeing.
This is a more serious conversation than we usually have at Harmony with Food, but it is one I feel deeply connected to because I have experienced medical errors personally.
My mother also died during what was supposed to be a routine medical procedure.
So when I tell you to be proactive about your health and become your own healthcare advocate, those are not simply words I repeat on my show.
I mean them.
Being a healthcare advocate for yourself—or helping advocate for someone you love—doesn't mean you have to distrust doctors, nurses, hospitals, or other healthcare professionals. It means participating in your care, asking questions, understanding your treatment options, keeping good information and records, and making sure your needs are being communicated.
Sometimes, you may be the person who notices that something doesn't add up.
A Very Important Disclaimer
Before we go any further, I want to be clear about my role.
I am a registered dietitian and functional nutritionist. I am not a psychiatrist, hospital administrator, or attorney.
The cases discussed in this article involve active or recently reported legal and regulatory matters.
The information discussed here comes from public court testimony, lawsuits, investigative reports, and news reporting referenced in my podcast episode.
I am not diagnosing anyone, offering a legal opinion, or determining responsibility.
What I am interested in is something different:
What can these situations teach patients and families about advocating for themselves and the people they love?
Because sometimes the healthcare system does not catch everything.
And when it doesn't, you need to know how to ask questions, seek assistance, communicate your concerns, and speak up for your health.
The Lindsay Clancy Case and Fragmented Mental Healthcare
One of the cases I discussed on the show involves Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother whose case received enormous public attention following the deaths of her three children in January 2023.
Court testimony discussed during the episode described a period of significant psychiatric distress leading up to the tragedy, including insomnia, intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, medication changes, and numerous interactions with healthcare providers.
According to testimony and reporting discussed on the show, Clancy was prescribed multiple psychiatric medications over a relatively short period of time.
She also reportedly told providers repeatedly that she believed something was wrong.
That is the part I keep coming back to.
When a patient says:
“Something is wrong.”
What happens next?
Does someone stop and listen?
Does a doctor or other provider look at the entire medication list?
Does one member of the healthcare team coordinate with the others?
Does someone ask whether the symptoms changed after a medication was introduced?
Does someone reassess the original diagnosis or discuss other treatment options?
Or does another appointment happen, followed by another prescription, followed by another specialist who may or may not have the complete picture?
Mental healthcare can involve an OB-GYN, primary care provider, therapist, psychiatrist, emergency department, hospital, and other specialists.
When those people are not communicating effectively, patient care can become fragmented.
And fragmentation creates opportunities for important information to fall through the cracks.
That is one reason healthcare advocacy, communication, and care coordination matter so much—especially when a patient has complex needs or is receiving care from multiple providers.
When One Mistake Becomes a Chain of Healthcare Errors
The second situation we discussed occurred at a Nashville hospital.
According to the state investigation referenced in the episode, four joint replacement patients were mistakenly given potassium phosphate instead of the intended anesthetic medication during procedures.
Investigators reportedly identified failures involving several different levels of the hospital system, including pharmacy processes, medication handling, training, oversight, and the response after the error occurred.
This reminded me immediately of something Malcolm Gladwell discussed in Outliers.
Major disasters often do not happen because of one giant mistake.
They happen because of a chain of smaller errors.
One person assumes someone else checked.
A warning is missed.
A label is confusing.
Someone is tired.
Communication breaks down.
A protocol is not followed.
Each individual mistake might have been survivable.
But when several failures line up at exactly the wrong moment, the result can be catastrophic.
That idea applies far beyond hospitals.
But in healthcare, where the stakes can literally be life and death, every checkpoint matters. Communication matters. Standards matter. Accurate records matter.
Care coordination matters.
And patients and families should feel empowered to ask questions when something does not seem right.
My Own Experience With Medical Error
This topic is especially personal for me.
When I was around 18 or 19 years old, I went to a walk-in clinic because I had pain in my right side.
The doctor told me I should go to the emergency room because I might need my appendix removed.
I went.
I stayed overnight.
And I was sent home.
What I did not know at the time was that my appendix was gangrenous.
I became septic.
I spent weeks in the hospital and eventually needed a total of five surgeries.
Looking back, I often wonder:
What if I had gone to another hospital?
What if someone had pushed harder?
What if my family and I had known then what I know now about being a healthcare advocate?
My mother later died during what was supposed to be a routine colonoscopy.
These experiences changed the way I view healthcare forever.
I respect healthcare professionals tremendously.
There are incredible doctors, nurses, dietitians, therapists, pharmacists, specialists, and patient advocates doing lifesaving work every day.
But healthcare professionals are human.
Systems are imperfect.
Communication fails.
Mistakes happen.
That is exactly why I believe patients should have the knowledge, information, and confidence to participate actively in their own care.
What Does It Mean to Be Your Own Healthcare Advocate?
Being your own healthcare advocate means taking an active role in your health and medical care.
It means understanding what you can about your health, asking questions when you don't understand something, communicating changes in your symptoms, and making informed decisions with your healthcare team.
Healthcare advocacy can also mean asking for assistance when you need it.
You may need a family member to come to medical visits with you.
You may need help understanding your records, treatment options, health insurance benefits, or medical bills.
You may need guidance navigating a complicated healthcare system or finding the right provider.
You don't have to know everything.
You simply need to know that you are allowed to ask.
Patients Are Allowed to Ask Questions
There was a time when many patients viewed the doctor as the unquestionable authority in the room.
That mentality needs to change.
You should absolutely respect the training, skills, and expertise of your healthcare providers.
But you are also allowed to ask:
Why are we doing this?
What are my treatment options?
What are the potential benefits and risks?
What changed since my last appointment?
Could this symptom be related to the medication I just started?
Are all of my doctors and providers communicating with one another?
Who is coordinating my care?
What testing is available?
What should make me contact you immediately?
When should I go to the emergency room?
Those are not disrespectful questions.
They are responsible questions.
Good healthcare should involve communication between patients and providers.
You should have access to understandable information about your care and feel comfortable asking questions about decisions that affect your health.
Medication Is Not Always One-Size-Fits-All
One issue raised during the Clancy proceedings discussed in the episode involved psychiatric medications and how differently individuals may respond to them.
Medications can affect different people differently.
Your diagnosis matters.
Your medical history matters.
Your other medications matter.
Your metabolism matters.
And in some circumstances, clinicians may consider pharmacogenomic testing, which looks at genetic variations that may influence how a person metabolizes or responds to certain medications.
That does not mean genetic testing can perfectly predict whether a psychiatric medication will work, nor does it replace clinical judgment.
But it can be reasonable to ask your prescribing provider whether additional testing or evaluation could be useful, particularly when medications have repeatedly failed or produced concerning reactions.
The important point from a healthcare advocacy perspective is this:
Ask questions.
Ask why a treatment is being recommended.
Ask what changes you should watch for.
Ask what you should do if you experience a concerning reaction.
Ask whether other treatment options or testing may be appropriate.
You deserve information that helps you participate in decisions about your care.
This is the same philosophy I talk about every week at Harmony with Food.
Test, Don't Guess
In my own practice, that philosophy relates primarily to functional nutrition.
Depending on an individual's needs, we may look at things such as:
gut health
microbiome testing
food sensitivities
nutrient status
inflammation markers
genetics and nutrigenomics
digestive health
lifestyle factors
My job is not to prescribe psychiatric medication.
My job is not to tell anyone to discontinue medication.
Those conversations belong with the appropriate licensed medical provider.
But the larger philosophy remains important.
When appropriate testing exists, ask questions about it.
When symptoms change, investigate.
When something feels dramatically different after starting a medication or treatment, tell your provider.
And when you are not getting answers, seek another qualified opinion.
Knowledge gives patients and their healthcare teams more information to work with.
Warning Signs Should Not Be Ignored
One of the most important lessons from this episode is that dramatic changes deserve attention.
Mental health professionals may consider symptoms such as severe new insomnia, hallucinations, sudden agitation, rapidly changing moods, racing thoughts, or thoughts of harming oneself or someone else reasons for urgent clinical evaluation.
If you see a dramatic change in yourself or someone you love after starting or changing a medication, contact the prescribing provider promptly.
Communicate clearly about what changed and when it changed.
If there is an immediate safety concern or you cannot reach the appropriate provider, seek emergency medical care.
And if you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Do not assume someone else will notice.
Families Can Be Powerful Healthcare Advocates
Sometimes the patient is not the first person to recognize that something has changed.
A spouse notices.
A parent notices.
A sibling notices.
A close friend notices.
You may see someone every day while their provider sees them for twenty minutes once every few weeks.
That perspective can be incredibly valuable.
Family members and loved ones can provide support and help a patient communicate important information to the healthcare team when appropriate.
If you are supporting someone who is struggling, keep track of what you observe.
Write down:
when a new medication was started
when symptoms changed
changes in sleep
changes in mood
unusual behavior
new side effects
medications that were stopped or added
treatments that were started or changed
hospital or doctor visits
appointments and provider recommendations
Bring that information to the appropriate healthcare team.
Patterns are much easier to recognize when they are documented.
You don't have to be a professional patient advocate to help someone you love.
Sometimes advocacy starts with paying attention, keeping good records, asking questions, and helping another person communicate what they are experiencing.
Ask Who Is Coordinating Your Care
This may be one of the most important questions you can ask when several providers are involved:
Who is the point person?
If someone is seeing a psychiatrist, therapist, OB-GYN, primary care physician, and another specialist, determine who is overseeing the bigger picture.
Do the providers have updated medication and supplement lists?
Do they know what the other clinicians prescribed?
Do they have access to the necessary medical records?
Are records being shared appropriately?
Who is following up when symptoms worsen?
Who should the patient contact with questions?
Do not assume communication and care coordination are happening automatically.
Ask.
Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult, especially when multiple doctors, hospitals, services, insurance requirements, or treatment decisions are involved.
Clear communication can help patients and families understand who is responsible for what and where to go for assistance.
Know Your Rights as a Patient
Being a healthcare advocate also means understanding that patients can ask for information about their care.
You can ask questions.
You can ask for clarification when you don't understand something.
You can ask about treatment options.
You can ask how to access your medical records.
You can ask who is responsible for coordinating your care.
You can ask for help understanding the next steps.
And when appropriate, you can seek another qualified medical opinion.
Healthcare advocacy is not about fighting with your doctors or assuming that every provider is wrong.
It is about communication, education, information, and empowerment.
The goal is to help patients become informed members of their healthcare team.
Getting a Second Opinion Is Okay
Finding the right healthcare practitioner can take time.
That includes doctors.
Dietitians.
Therapists.
Psychiatrists.
GI specialists.
Surgeons.
Not every provider is going to be the right fit for every patient.
If you repeatedly feel dismissed, unheard, confused, or uncomfortable with the direction of your care, you are allowed to get another opinion.
And sometimes another one after that.
The time, energy, and money involved in finding the right provider can feel frustrating.
Health insurance, location, access to specialists, and other resources can also affect which services are available to you.
But finding someone who listens carefully, investigates appropriately, communicates clearly, answers your questions, and works collaboratively with you can change your entire healthcare experience.
Why Functional Nutrition Changed My Life
After everything I went through medically, I eventually stepped away from the cycle I had been stuck in and sought functional nutrition testing.
At the time, paying for that testing was difficult for me.
I put it on a credit card.
For me, it became one of the best investments I ever made.
We investigated what was actually happening in my body.
I changed what I was eating.
I used targeted supplements.
I addressed issues that had previously been missed.
Little by little, I started feeling better.
Today, I have gone approximately 15 years without the GI problems that once dominated my life.
That experience is one of the reasons Harmony with Food exists.
I know what it feels like to know something is wrong and not have answers.
I know what it feels like when your symptoms begin controlling your life.
And I know how powerful it can feel when you finally have objective information that gives you somewhere to start.
For me, becoming a stronger advocate for my own health meant asking different questions and seeking additional information when the approach I was using wasn't giving me the answers I needed.
Sometimes the Numbers Give Us Clues
One Harmony with Food client came to me after years of struggling with GI symptoms.
Her testing revealed markers including elevated calprotectin, which can indicate intestinal inflammation, as well as elevated beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme that can be associated with how hormones and other compounds are processed in the gut.
Those findings gave us information.
Information gives us direction.
And direction allows us to build a plan with the appropriate healthcare professionals involved.
That is what I mean when I say:
Test, don't guess.
Not every test is appropriate for every person.
Not every symptom has a simple answer.
But you deserve a thoughtful investigation into what your body is trying to tell you.
How to Be a Stronger Healthcare Advocate
You do not need a medical degree to participate intelligently in your own healthcare.
You do not need to know every medical term or understand every treatment before walking into your doctor's office.
Being a strong healthcare advocate starts with asking questions, gathering information, communicating clearly, and knowing when you need additional support or guidance.
Here are some practical ways to advocate for your health:
1. Keep an Updated Medication and Supplement List
Know the medication or supplement, dosage, prescribing provider, when you started it, and why you are taking it.
Bring that information to medical visits and hospital appointments when appropriate.
2. Document Changes in Your Health
If symptoms begin or worsen after a medication, procedure, dietary change, or treatment, write down when it happened.
Good records can give doctors and other providers important information.
3. Ask Who Is Coordinating Your Care
This is especially important when several specialists or healthcare services are involved.
Know which provider should receive questions and who is looking at the complete picture.
4. Speak Up When Something Feels Wrong
You know your day-to-day experience with your body better than anyone else.
If something has changed, communicate it.
5. Ask About Appropriate Testing
Do not assume every available option will automatically be offered.
Ask your provider what testing may be appropriate for your symptoms and needs.
6. Understand Your Treatment Options
Ask why a treatment is being recommended, what alternatives may exist, and what you should expect.
Information can help you make more informed healthcare decisions with your providers.
7. Get Another Opinion When Necessary
You are not obligated to stay with a practitioner who is not the right fit.
Another qualified provider may offer additional information, guidance, or a different perspective.
8. Bring Someone With You
When you are sick, scared, exhausted, or overwhelmed, having another person listen, take notes, and provide support can be incredibly helpful.
A family member, friend, or patient advocate may also remember questions or information that you forget during the visit.
9. Keep Copies of Important Health Information
Know how to access important medical records, test results, medication lists, provider contact information, and other health information.
Having organized records can make navigating different doctors, hospitals, and services easier.
10. Ask for Help Navigating the Healthcare System
Healthcare can be complicated.
Patients and families may sometimes need assistance understanding health insurance, medical bills, Medicare benefits, hospital services, community programs, or available resources.
Depending on your needs, your hospital, insurance organization, healthcare provider, or community may have patient advocates, care coordinators, social workers, education programs, or other support services available.
Ask what resources exist.
11. Do Not Ignore Dramatic Changes
Severe psychiatric symptoms, sudden physical deterioration, or any immediate safety concern requires prompt professional attention.
Knowing when to seek help is an important part of advocating for yourself or someone you love.
Healthcare Advocacy Is About Empowerment, Not Distrust
I want to make this distinction very clear.
Being your own healthcare advocate does not mean assuming doctors are wrong.
It does not mean rejecting medical care.
And it does not mean trying to become your own doctor.
Healthcare advocacy is about becoming an active participant in your care.
It is about having the confidence to ask a question when you don't understand something.
It is about communicating symptoms and concerns.
It is about seeking reliable information and appropriate professional guidance.
It is about knowing when you need additional support.
And it is about working with doctors, nurses, specialists, patient advocates, and other members of your healthcare team to make informed decisions about your health.
Patients deserve to be heard.
Precision Over Speed in the Healthcare System
If there is one idea I want you to take away from this conversation, it is this:
We need more precision over speed in healthcare.
More communication.
More coordination.
More investigation.
More information.
More education.
More willingness to stop and ask:
Why is this happening?
Because sometimes the information is already there.
The patient has reported it.
The family has noticed it.
The medical records contain it.
The lab values show it.
The side effects started after a new prescription.
The pattern exists.
Someone simply has to connect the dots.
And sometimes that person begins with you.
Be Proactive About Your Health and Become Your Own Healthcare Advocate
You only get one body.
You only get one life.
Learning how to become your own healthcare advocate can help you participate more actively in decisions about your health, communicate more effectively with your healthcare team, and ask better questions when you need information or guidance.
If you have been struggling with digestive issues, inflammation, fatigue, weight-loss resistance, food sensitivities, or symptoms that nobody seems to be connecting, you do not have to continue guessing.
At Harmony with Food, my philosophy is simple:
Test. Don't guess.
We use functional nutrition testing and individualized information to better understand what may be happening inside your body and help determine the next appropriate steps.
Visit HarmonyWithFood.com to get started.
And if you want to hear the full conversation about the Lindsay Clancy case, the Nashville hospital investigation, healthcare advocacy, medication concerns, navigating the healthcare system, and my own experience with medical error:
Please remember:
Be proactive about your health.
Be your own healthcare advocate.
Ask questions.
Speak up.
Keep your information organized.
Find practitioners who listen.
Ask for support when you need it.
Take care of yourself.
And take care of one another.
If You or Someone You Love Is in Crisis
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, a mental health crisis, or an immediate risk of harm in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or seek emergency medical care.
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