When I moved to California for medical school, the single greatest gift I received was a GPS for my car. You could say that I "lack a sense of direction," but that underplays the panic I feel when trying to find my way to new places. So, when I moved across the country, my parents knew there was little hope that I would find my way around southern California without some guidance.

Often, when I meet a new patient in the hospital, I recognize the panicky look of someone who is lost and unable to identify any landmarks that would point them in the right direction. Other times, I meet patients navigating their hospitalization with a clear sense of what they want and how to work with their medical team. So, what is the difference between these two groups of patients? Why does it seem like one group is lost while the other uses a GPS? The answer is planning ahead.

Step 1: Let your desired health care outcome determine your course of action

The first step in any road trip is to pick a destination. Where are we going, and why are we going there?

A hospitalization should have the same type of objectives. Ask yourself, "What will this hospital stay accomplish, and how does that fit into my larger picture of health?". Having a clearly defined goal for your time in the hospital is essential for keeping you and the medical team focused. I suggest finding one to two big overarching goals for a hospital stay and two or three little goals each day. A big goal will take time and coordination to achieve, for example, being treated for pneumonia. A small goal should be achievable within a day, like walking down the hall or meeting with a specialist.

When speaking with your medical team, consider your big and little goals, and ask questions about how your treatment plan is progressing your care toward those goals. Remember that each day in the hospital can be challenging, so take time to feel good about achieving small goals in your care as each step brings you closer to your ultimate goals for that hospitalization.

Step 2: Have a plan before going to the hospital

For most people, hospitalization is an unplanned event, and it may take several hours or even a few days before patients can start piecing things together to get the support they need. Only after a few unexpected hospital visits do people wonder how to be more prepared for a trip to the emergency department and a night or more in the hospital.

Unless you are pregnant, I don't encourage anyone to keep a bag packed for the hospital. Instead, I suggest keeping a folder containing your advanced directive and Portable Order of Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form readily available. Better yet, have your primary care provider add these documents to your electronic medical record. Completing an advanced directive and a POLST form assures that your values and goals for your medical care are respected if you ever cannot express these things for yourself. These documents help maintain your autonomy and are a gift to your loved ones, reassuring them that they care for you in the way you would choose for yourself.

Step 3: Know how to course correct if things start to feel overwhelming 

In every road trip movie, there comes a point when the duo gets utterly lost, and they pull out a map in an attempt to right their path. It is easy to feel lost in the hospital; you're sick and uncomfortable but still have to get lots of tests and procedures done. On top of that, you're expected to have coherent conversations with all the different medical specialists and therapists you meet. When you get to a point in your hospitalization that feels like you need to slow things down to get some answers and make a plan, it's time to call for a family meeting.

A family meeting is a fantastic tool to bring patients and their loved ones together with their medical providers when questions linger,or big decisions about next steps need clarification.

I like family meetings because they allow everyone involved in the patient's care to get their questions answered and simultaneously hear the same message, often resolving communication difficulties. A productive family meeting should end with an updated plan that supports the medical and social needs of the patient so that all parties feel ready to continue with the agreed-upon care plan.

Step 4: Choose an advocate to represent you and your interests with your health care professionals

Before GPS was available to us in the car and on our phones, the role of the navigator fell on the front passenger. Having a trusted buddy to drive with made you less likely to get lost and guaranteed good conversation. Leaning on your social support network while you are hospitalized is like bringing your best map reader, trusted lookout, and most entertaining friends on a nonstop cross-country trip (minus the soundtrack).

Your friends and family are the best tools you have to help advocate for your safety and satisfaction in the hospital. Identify one or two people who can be your primary support: people who can help you make decisions, communicate with your medical team and understand what is needed to ensure your safety and well-being throughout your hospital stay and for discharge.

It may not be possible to have someone with you most of the time, so I suggest having someone with you on high-impact days, such as the day of admission and the day you are discharged. Having another set of eyes and ears during these vital transition points in your care will help because they can give more information about your condition and ask for clarification about the care plan. Though you may be feeling poorly, try not to isolate yourself; instead, accept help and lean on the people who care about you and want to support you.

Though there is no guaranteed path to a successful hospital stay, you can work to improve your experience in the hospital and drive your care in a productive manner by setting goals, assuring your autonomy, clarifying communication, and accepting help from others when advocating for yourself.