How Can I Talk With My Healthcare Provider About Intuition?

Most people are not experienced in talking about their intuitive experiences. Therefore, it is not surprising that many of us do not know how to talk to our healthcare providers about intuitive impressions relevant to our health or wellbeing.

It is important to recognize that your intuitive impressions give only one aspect of your health. Our goal is to include them when they might be relevant without making them 'the' answer.

To prepare for an interview with a healthcare provider, begin by answering these simple questions:

• What are the physical symptoms that concern me?
• How would I describe my emotional state?
• Is there anything that interests me intellectually now?
• Am I feeling connected to the purpose of my life or in some other way enjoying life deeply?

These questions cover your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual being. After you have briefly reviewed and outlined your overall state, it is time to ask yourself:

• Do I have any intuitive impressions that I would like to share with my healthcare provider?

How can I partner with my healthcare provider?

Taking charge of your health implies a different relationship with your provider than you may currently have. In this new model your healthcare provider acts as your partner in the maintenance, prevention, and restoration of your health and wellbeing.

As partners, you will discuss (1) the full range of your health concerns and (2) information that you have learned about your concerns from other sources, such as internet research, other people, and, when appropriate, the opinions of other healthcare providers. Your intuitive impressions are simply part of this larger conversation.

Your provider is a busy person and doesn't need the details of your intuitive impressions. All she or he needs to know is the bottom line: "my intuition tells me that my reoccurring stomach problems might be due to an ulcer or a pre-ulcer condition. Can you check it out for me?" You do not need to say that "a recent dream suggested that I have an ulcer" and then describe the dream.

You can protect yourself and your provider from excessive concern by researching your intuitive health impressions. For example, if you had a dream suggesting you had an ulcer, you should search online to see if your symptoms match. If not, consider whether your intuition could be speaking symbolically rather than literally. Is it trying to assist the growth of your emotional, mental, or spiritual wellbeing rather than your physical body?

Are there any specific things to do or avoid?

Your healthcare provider relies on experience and education to give you the best opinion possible. Remember this: although you access them in a different way, your intuitive impressions are also opinions.

Knowing this can help you maintain helpful attitudes and avoid those behaviors and attitudes that prevent your healthcare provider from listening to your impressions.

Helpful Attitudes

1. Non-attachment. When you share your impressions with your provider, don't have expectations about how your provider will respond.
2. Openness. Recognize that your impressions could be right or wrong. Rumi, a famous 13th century Sufi poet, says, "There is a field beyond right doing and wrong doing. I'll meet you there." Try to meet your provider there as well.
3. Curiosity: Examine your impressions from psychological or spiritual perspectives. For example an intuitive image shows a hole in your heart at the same time you are feeling worn down and exhausted. This does not mean you have an actual hole in your heart. It could mean that the heart of your life isn't fulfilling at the moment.
4. Trust. Life is very big. You have hundreds of interactions and opportunities to learn every day. Trust that your intention to take responsibility for your health and wellbeing will lead you to the best next steps for your life.
5. Willingness: Allow your health issues to become teachers about your life.
6. Gratitude. Express gratitude to your provider for his or her willingness to listen to and consider your intuitive impressions. This may be new territory for both of you.

Things To Avoid

1. Detailed Intuitive Storytelling. The details of your intuitive impressions (how, when, what, and why) do not need to be told.
    
2. Insistence.Do not insist that your intuitive impressions are right.
    
3. Closed Mind.Do not automatically reject input from your healthcare provider and others, even if is challenging or threatening.

How do I talk to healthcare providers about intuitive impressions?

Remember that your intuitive impressions should be shared within the context of the larger conversation you have with your providers. When it seems appropriate, ask a question such as:

"I'd like to briefly share my intuitive impressions about this health issue. Is that OK with you?"

• If your provider listens, thank him or her and qualify your sharing first. "Will you consider my impressions in your evaluation? It is OK with me, if you think they are incorrect. I don't have to be right. " Remember to keep your report short and to not expect your provider to respond to your impressions immediately.
  
  Conclude your impressions with gratitude to your provider for his or her willingness to listen, saying things like: Thank you for helping me confirm or deny my intuitive impressions," or "I appreciate your taking the time to listen and consider my impressions."
• If your provider would prefer not to listen to your impressions, respect that.
  
  If sharing your impressions is very important to you and there isn't a fit between you and provider, thank him or her for spending time with you and tell them your decision to seek another opinion.

Finally, one of the best ways to prepare for the inclusion of intuitive impressions is to practice or role-play your interview with a friend or family member who is willing to act as your healthcare provider.

How do I find healthcare providers open to intuition?

In the expanding world of alternative and complementary healthcare, members of organizations such as American Holistic Medicine and Association, American Holistic Nursing Association are more likely to be open to intuition. In general, healthcare providers who practice integrative healthcare are likely to be more open to talking about intuition.

If intuition is important to you, bring it up at your first appointment and explore your practitioner's openness.

In summary

Talking to your healthcare providers about your intuitive impressions is part of taking charge of your health and wellbeing. It is important to prepare yourself for this conversation. Recognize that your impressions are opinions which may or may not be correct and respect the position of your healthcare providers.

The healthcare setting, with its focus on an exchange of information and the goal of wise action, is ideal for the gifts of intuition. Just as your provider partners with you, your intuition can partner with your logic to enrich your possibilities.

© 2006 Charlson Meadows, used with permission.