How to Be a Health Advocate in a Tech-Driven World

Melinda McAdam’s story is a terrifying one, but worth telling. Days after undergoing spinal cord stimulator surgery, she started feeling sick.

Weeks later, she was rushed to the hospital to have the stimulator removed. She recalled “projectile vomiting green pus” and waking up to a priest giving her last rites. “I thought I was going to die,” she told ABC News.

A Four Corners probe into the multi-billion-dollar chronic pain industry uncovered safety issues with the devices and the operations used to implant them.

McAdam’s account is one of countless others, each carrying its heartbreak. Living with a chronic condition can feel overwhelming when trying to navigate a healthcare system that’s increasingly reliant on technology. 

While innovations have made treatment more accessible and precise, they’ve also introduced new challenges and risks. Being your health advocate is imperative.

Whether managing pain or weighing treatment options, learning to speak up and make informed decisions can lead to better outcomes and peace of mind.

Why Health Advocacy Matters Now More Than Ever

Health tech is progressing rapidly. Technology, from wearables to AI diagnostics, is transforming the patient experience. 

Microsoft, for instance, partnered with healthcare organisations to apply AI in diagnostics and treatment management. The goal is to reduce errors and improve outcomes, but technology isn’t flawless.

The Abbott spinal cord stimulator lawsuit shows how innovation can sometimes go wrong. 

Patients reported device malfunctions, nerve damage, and chronic pain worsened by the very products meant to alleviate it. 

The FDA confirmed that Abbott received 186 complaints about the MRI mode issue, including 73 reported injuries.  As a result, the regulatory agency issued a Class 1 recall.

TruLaw says Abbott’s neurostimulation system recall has major implications for the company and affected patients.

The takeaway? Being informed and proactive protects you and supports better health decisions.

Step 1: Know Your Rights and Options

You have the right to clear information about your diagnosis, treatments, and risks.

This is especially important when dealing with chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, spinal cord injuries, or arthritis, where treatment plans can include high-tech solutions.

Before consenting to any procedure, ask about its benefits, risks, and long-term effects. Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. Advocacy starts with information.

Step 2: Stay Informed About the Technologies Involved

With AI, digital health records, and implantable devices becoming more common, patients must understand how these technologies work.

Most importantly, what to watch out for.

For example, spinal cord stimulators are designed to mask pain signals to the brain. While they work for some, others have suffered complications. 

Lawsuits against companies like Abbott have alleged the absence of proper testing and failure to warn about risks. Knowing this background helps you ask informed questions and demand transparency from your healthcare provider.

Step 3: Use Digital Tools to Your Advantage

Being tech-savvy can make you a greater health advocate. 

Some apps let you track symptoms, set medication reminders, and access records.

Wearable devices can monitor heart rate, activity, and sleep, providing valuable data to your doctor.

But also be cautious. Not all tools are accurate or secure. Make sure any app or device you use meets medical data privacy standards.

Step 4: Build a Support System

Advocacy doesn’t mean going it alone. Friends, family, or support groups can help you process information and decisions. 

You can also connect with patient advocacy organisations that specialise in your condition.

PATH, for instance, works globally to amplify women’s voices in health policy, showing how activism can lead to real, systemic change.

Step 5: Ask Questions; Lots of Them

No question is too small when it comes to your health. 

Ask your doctor how treatments work, what side effects to expect, how outcomes are measured, and what alternatives exist to manage chronic pain.

If a device still in the testing stage is recommended, dig deep. What is the manufacturer’s safety record? Are there ongoing lawsuits? Are there non-invasive alternatives?

Step 6: Think Long-Term

It’s easy to focus on quick fixes when you’re in pain. However, long-term health requires slow, steady progress. 

High-tech solutions might promise immediate relief, but should be part of a broader, sustainable health plan.

Look for treatments that improve your quality of life over time, not just mask symptoms. Diet, exercise, mental health support, and lifestyle adjustments can all play a role.

Don’t be Afraid to Share Your Story

Your voice can make a difference. Sharing your experience on social media or with policymakers can help others avoid similar pitfalls and influence future healthcare decisions.

According to a Devex article on health advocacy, storytelling is a powerful tool for building momentum and generating policy change. 

Real stories create emotional connections that data alone cannot.