Comment by dekhn

Just like many of us in the US grew up with shop class (where you learn to build and repair things) and home ec (where you learn to save money by doing things yourself), we should have classes in middle school on how to work within the medical system.

It took me decades (and a ton of advice from my wife) to understand how medical systems work and to get the results I want. Having a good relationship with your PCP is invaluable.