Tag Archive for: healthcare

Dr. Nicole Rochester: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

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Dr. Nicole Rochester: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

How can you empower patients, and why is it important? Expert Dr. Nicole Rochester, founder of My GPS Doc, discusses methods that she employs to empower patients, how it alters the patient role, and the impact on their care.

See More from Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP)

Related Resources:

Dr. Radhika Gogoi: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

 Dr. Michael Kelley: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

Dr. Michael Kelley: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

 Dr. Andrew Hantel: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients

Dr. Andrew Hantel: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

Transcript:

Dr. Nicole Rochester:

The primary way that I empower patients is really by making sure that they understand that they are empowered and that they are literally the center of their own medical team. I think that in today’s healthcare environment, many patients and their family members kind of defer to the experts in the room, and that’s wonderful.

And yes, those of us who are healthcare professionals have a lot of knowledge and expertise, but I always like to remind patients and family members that they know much about their own unique medical situation, about their body, about their symptoms than we do, and so I really empower them by helping them to embrace that role of being the center and sometimes the leader of their medical team.

I empower them by encouraging them to ask questions in healthcare settings, to not be afraid to speak up when they have concerns about their health or about the treatment or the management of their condition. And ultimately, I really like to just elevate the role of the patient and those who support them. And I think that, ultimately, that allows them to not only show up for themselves more powerfully, but also ultimately to receive better care.

Dr. Charlotte Gamble: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

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Dr. Charlotte Gamble: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Why is it important to empower patients? Expert Dr. Charlotte Gamble from MedStar Health discusses the benefits of patient empowerment and methods she uses to help build trust and to empower her patients.

See More from Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP)

Related Resources:

Dr. Emily Hinchcliff: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

 Charise Gleason: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients

Charise Gleason: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

 Dr. Craig Cole: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

Dr. Craig Cole: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

Transcript:

Dr. Charlotte Gamble:

Yeah, this is such a good question and like actually, goes to the reason why I chose to have a career in medicine and like why I’m doing this. I think that it’s really important to understand that patients are their own individuals and not the tumor, they’re the cancer that they have, that they have whole lives and are whole people before they walk into our clinic doors. And to understand that there is a whole life that they have had and will continue to have alongside a cancer diagnosis.

And so one of the things that I think is so important is when I talk to patients to really understand the condition of their lives, to understand how long it took them to get to my office, to understand who is with them or who is not with them in the room to understand what their fears are, what experiences have they had with the healthcare system prior to meeting me.

How do I regain trust or earn trust, in the context of a healthcare system and a, you know, political system that is, pretty fraught. And I think being able to listen, is one of the greatest skills that I’ve been taught and have really tried to work on. And listening in and of itself I think helps to empower patients because they find their voice because either the doctor listening to them and asking them to tell me what’s happening.

And so the mere act of me listening, this is something that doctors need to do, that helps I think, patients find their voice. I think what I had mentioned previously also was making sure that they have people in their lives that are aware of what’s happening in terms of their cancer diagnosis and treatment plan that can be a support to patients.

I think getting these diagnoses can be traumatizing and recognizing the trauma that having a cancer diagnosis, can have, and the ripple effect that it has on not only the patients, but those that surround them is really important to recognize the gravity of that. And that while I might be seeing 20, 25 patients with cancer in my clinic or operating on three to four patients in a day, these are, really seminal moments in a person’s life. And recognizing the gravity and the responsibility that I have as their provider to not only listen to them, but make sure that they are surrounded by love and compassion, by people in their lives. And making sure that they feel that they have the language to share their diagnosis with their loved ones and to bring their loved ones on for the ride, is really important. So, I don’t know. I listen. I try to make sure that they’ve got folks that are there and present. And, I think that that’s really kind of how I try to center patients in this whole cancer care process.

Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

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Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

How can healthcare providers empower patients? Expert Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi from the Mayo Clinic explains the mindset and approach he takes to patient empowerment and questions that he asks patients to put them in better control of their care.

See More from Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP)

Related Resources:

Dr. Emily Hinchcliff: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

 Charise Gleason: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients

Charise Gleason: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

 Dr. Craig Cole: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

Dr. Craig Cole: Why Is It Important for You to Empower Patients?

Transcript:

Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi: 

Patient empowerment is an extremely important aspect of how we deliver healthcare and how our patients consume healthcare. Let’s take a step back and think about it this way. A patient was diagnosed with cancer. This is not what they were expecting. This is not what their families, their loved ones, anybody was expecting. It throws a wrench in their life plans, and suddenly they have lost control, not over their health, in a lot of cases, even over their lives, over their families, their jobs, everything. What can we do to empower our patients and make them feel in control?

A statement that is very frequently used by a lot of people, frankly, is, well, the patients need to be their own advocates. Yeah, but I really strongly feel if a patient does not even know what to ask, how are they going to ask the right question? How do they know what is the right question to even put up to the clinician? So in my opinion, the biggest thing, in fact, in some ways, even the least thing I can do to empower my patients is to educate them, is to make them aware about the disease, about the treatment, both the benefits and the side effects, about long-term outcomes.

I do offer to my patients, for example, “Are you interested in knowing about prognosis?” Some patients don’t want to hear about it, but some were afraid to ask. If they know what they have to expect, they are able to plan better. They are able to get in control better. So for me, the number one way of empowering the patient is spending time with them, educating them, making them aware about their disease, about their treatment, and about the long-term expectations of living their life after the cancer diagnosis.

12 Tips to Create an Educational and Inspiring Roundup of Healthcare News

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Staying current with healthcare news is essential for patient advocates. However, the sheer volume of information available can be overwhelming.  It can be challenging to sift through all the noise to find the most relevant and important news.

A healthcare newsletter or roundup can be really helpful here. Resources like these curate the most relevant and impactful healthcare news, usually by topic. They can help your readers stay informed about the latest scientific breakthroughs, research, and policy developments without having to spend hours scouring the internet for information.

With a well-crafted news roundup, you can build trust and credibility within your community, while also positioning yourself as a reliable source of healthcare news. In this post, I’ll share some best practices for creating a regular roundup of healthcare news that educates, informs, and inspires your readers.

1. Gather Your News

Before creating your roundup, you first need to gather the news. Throughout the week, make a note of healthcare stories you come across. It could be breaking news, new research, or policy changes. You can subscribe to Google Alerts to get notified when new articles are published on a specific topic.

2. Prioritize the Most Impactful Stories

With so much information available, it’s essential to be selective and focus on the most significant news stories. Pick three to five stories that are most relevant to your audience. It goes without saying that you should get your news from reputable sources. Whenever you use a source, evaluate it critically to make sure it’s reliable.

Carolyn Thomas, women’s health advocate and author at myheartsisters.org  shares this helpful tip:

“A specific online resource I regularly use is Retraction Watch, a site launched in 2010 under the auspices of the Centre for Scientific Integrity. RW has so far reported almost 25,000 scientific papers that have been retracted by journal editors – the majority due to authors’ scientific misconduct”.  Because I frequently cite emerging medical research and/or authors, it’s important to double-check that the studies have not been retracted, nor their authors discredited.”

3. Write a Summary

A concise summary explains what the story is about and why it matters. It should highlight the key points of each news item while providing context for people who are unfamiliar with it. In addition to statistics and quotes, summaries can include relevant quotes from experts and officials.

4. Categorize Based on Topic

Make it easier for readers to navigate your content by grouping news items by topic. Some common categories for healthcare news roundups are medical research, policy changes, technological advancements, and public health updates.

5. Stick To A Standard Format

Your roundup will be easier to navigate if you follow a standard structure. This can include including a headline, a concise summary, and a link to the original article for each story. By using a uniform layout, your readers will quickly become accustomed to your roundup’s format, making it more accessible and easier to digest

6. Link To The Original Source

Make sure to link to the original source of your news item. Readers can click on the links to read the full article if they want to know more. Seeing where the information comes from allows readers to assess the credibility of the source for themselves, so the roundup is transparent and credible. Don’t forget to check the links and make sure they go to relevant articles.

7. Set a Regular Publishing Schedule

Establish a regular publishing schedule for your roundup, such as weekly or bi-weekly. In this way, your readers will know when to expect your round-up and know they’re getting the most current information.

8. Include Visuals

Adding images to your roundup can make it more visually appealing and engaging. Select high-quality images that add value and are relevant to your content. Infographics and charts can be particularly effective at presenting statistical information, while video interviews can provide additional context. Additionally, visuals can increase the shareability of your content on social media platforms, helping to expand your reach and engagement with your audience.

9. Share On A Variety Of Platforms

Sharing your roundup on a variety of platforms is an effective way to reach a wider audience and increase engagement. Aside from promoting it on social media, post it on healthcare forums or discussion boards.  Additionally, consider sending it out in a newsletter or email blast to your subscribers.

10. Follow Up On Important Stories

Healthcare is a field that’s constantly evolving, so new developments can happen at any time. By following up on important stories, readers know they will get the most relevant and up-to-date information from you. When following up on stories, it’s important to provide context for readers who may not have read the previous roundup and to link back to any relevant content.

11. Encourage Reader Engagement

Create a sense of community by encouraging readers to leave comments and share their thoughts. You can do this by asking readers to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences at the end of the round-up. It is also good to keep an eye on comments and respond so that a discussion can be facilitated and questions can be answered. Also, include social media share buttons on the post so readers can share it with their friends, increasing engagement and visibility. By encouraging reader engagement, you can create a more dynamic and interactive healthcare news roundup that is more likely to be shared and talked about.

12. Establishing Trust Through Consistency

This last tip comes from Terri Coutee, founder of DiepCFoundation.org, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing education, research, and support for patients who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery using DIEP flap procedures.

“Patient advocates often take on the role of curating content for a particular community. It is important to establish trust within a community by reporting consistently and with care and integrity. When you express interest in keeping a community updated on the latest evidence-based information, they count on you and look for new content. It is important to report accurately while at the same time understanding your reader and weaving skills of caring and compassion into your content. Establishing trust through consistency brings access to articles and information others may not seek on their own. You become their source of trusted information.”

By following the tips and best practices outlined in this post, you can curate the most relevant and impactful news stories while providing valuable context and insights for your readers. Your efforts will not only keep your audience informed and educated but also demonstrate your dedication and commitment to patient advocacy.

Five Tips to Participate in MPN Care and Treatment Decisions

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How can myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients become more active in their care? In the “How Should You Participate in MPN Care and Treatment Decisions?” program, expert Dr. Abdulraheem Yacoub of the University of Kansas Cancer Center shares five key tips MPN patients can take for a more active role for optimal health outcomes.

1. Become a Patient Self-Advocate

It’s vital to have the ability to advocate on your own behalf no matter your age at diagnosis. And some MPN patients will be diagnosed at a relatively young age and will have different MPN care providers over the course of their disease. These patients need to get accustomed with the idea of care approaches changing over time.

2. Get Involved and Build Your Village

Being involved in your well-being as a patient is of utmost importance, and thinking about your support network is recommended as one of your early steps as a patient. Think about who among your friends, family, co-workers, and spiritual community might be able to help support you – and ask your MPN care provider about support resources if you need some additional help.

3. Bring a Friend or Loved One to Appointments

It’s important to have someone else at your appointments with you to help understand the information you receive and to also take notes and to ask questions if it’s helpful for you. Having a second set of ears is especially important with your early visits about treatment options, and the use of telemedicine makes it easier for loved ones to help support your appointments.

4. Get a Second Opinion

Second opinions are no longer the taboo that they were once perceived as. Listen to medical facts given to you from your MPN specialist and from your primary treating physician. And if you want a second opinion from another MPN specialist, this practice is easier to carry out now through telemedicine.

5. Seek Out Credible Resources and Research News

Keep yourself informed about the latest MPN research and treatment news by visiting credible online resources. In addition to PEN, check The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and MPN Research Foundation. The annual meetings of expert conferences like the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) bring research updates for MPN online resources to cover.

By taking a more active role in their care, MPN patients can help determine the best care and treatment plan for optimal health outcomes.

Is Inflation Adding to Your Financial Burden?

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The stock market was doing well, until it wasn’t. For those of you who are invested in the market, things have been going splendidly for quite a while. Then comes the virus and job closures, people leaving their jobs for better pay. Home prices went through the roof. Many people made money selling their homes at a premium but then couldn’t find a home to replace it with. Rent is exploding. The cost of food is skyrocketing. You can’t find a decently priced used or new car anywhere. Sure, you can trade that used car you currently drive for a great return, but then spend the equity you made plus more into another car.  

How do you keep right-side up with all of the changes the world is enduring right now? 

Oh Yeah! Now we have a war to contend with and the fallout of it! How about gas prices soaring, way before the usual hikes around spring break and early summer 

Can you get a break? If you’re reading this you probably have already been struggling with the high costs of one of the biggest booms… Healthcare. This economic shift is a hard one. The gears are grinding and the brakes are shrieking.  

What are steps you can take to help mitigate, the best you can in your situation, the financial stress that comes from all of this uncertainty? 

Take a deep breath and I will give you some strategic steps you can take to help alleviate your financial stress and help you make the best of a difficult situation. 

First understand you cannot control what happens economically or politically, but you do need to be aware that there are risks that we can anticipate and be ready for.  

Here are some basic questions that you can ask yourself to help identify problem areas and then where to address these concerns so you can avoid financial toxicity.  

  1. What is your main area of concern?  
  2. Is it your ability to pay for healthcare?  
  3. Are you concerned that you may not have the insurance coverage you need? 
  4. Do you need help meeting your healthcare expenses? 
  5. Are you concerned about having to leave employment early due to illness? 
  6. Are you unsure of how to keep health insurance if you need to stop working? 
  7. Are you swimming in debt and need outside help managing it? 
  8. Do you need information about SSDI, or SSI 
  9. Are you having difficulty working due to your illness? 
  10. Do you need information about ADA and FMLA? 
  11. What resources do you have that you can use strategically to help you manage your overall expenses? 

I know this seems like a lot, but unless you identify your concerns it will be impossible to address your concerns effectively. Take a bit of time to ask these questions, write everything down and prioritize. Pull out your employer benefits booklet and get to know what options you have available to you through your employer. 

Get to know your insurance plan and what they are responsible for and what you are responsible for.  

Know what treatments you are on and their associated costs. Ask your treatment team if anything is expected to change so you can anticipate and prepare financially for the changes. 

If you haven’t done so already, ask your social worker about financial resources that you may be eligible for to help pharmaceutical drug costs as well as financial assistance programs through nonprofits and charitable organizations.  

There is help out there for food, utilities, medical bills, rent, insurance premiums, drug costs, travel for medical care and a host of other state and local resources. Now is a good time to take advantage of the resources. If you have a low income, you can even seek help through Legal Aid Society at no cost to you for legal help.  

Don’t let financial stress keep you from staying on your medical treatment or from keeping your lights on and food in your refrigerator. Ask for help. Seek out resources that can help you and your family.

Financial Corner: Health Care Coverage Special Enrollment

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One of the first things President Biden accomplished since taking office was by signing executive orders that will begin to restore and strengthen Americans’ access to affordable and quality health care. Let’s review what he has done and what that can mean for you, your family, and/or your friends. While you read this article, think of other people who you think could benefit and let them know. Just because most of you understand the need for quality insurance as a result of your cancer, others may not need it now but what if something happens in the future and they don’t have it? No one expects cancer to happen to them, it happens to other people, Right?    

The first executive order he signed in regards to health care was to reopen the enrollment period to sign up in the Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov). Many states that operate their own websites to enroll residents in the healthcare exchange have followed suit and have also opened. This special enrollment lasts from February 15th through May 15th, 2021. After a horrible year of the pandemic and the needs that have arisen as a result, this should be a huge step in bringing affordable healthcare to those who have lost their jobs and find themselves uninsured. The process is very simple and can be done via a phone call or online. And for those who have an illness, this is very comforting because the previous threat to limit access to quality and affordable care because of a preexisting condition is no longer on the table.    

In addition, President Biden is directing federal agencies to reconsider rules and other policies that currently limit Americans’ access to health care as well as consider rules and actions that will protect and strengthen that access.   

Agencies will be directed to review:    

  • Policies that undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions, including complications related to COVID-19; (Critical since some of these complications can be long-term or lifelong). 
  • Demonstrations and waivers under Medicaid and the ACA that may reduce coverage or undermine the programs, including work requirements;
  • Policies that undermine the Health Insurance Marketplace or other markets that sell health insurance;
  • Policies that make it more difficult to enroll in Medicaid and the Affordable Health care Act; and  
  • Policies that reduce the affordability of coverage or financial assistance, including for dependents. This is important because many people think of children and college-age adults only as dependents but this could be an adult child that is permanently disabled that you take care of.  

These timely steps could provide additional coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. Some of whom may qualify for free or subsidized health insurance.     

As a cancer patient, you realize the cost of healthcare. Having quality care and affordable care can be what allows you to be proactive in your healthcare with your healthcare team to stay on your treatment plan as well as to mitigate and prevent financial toxicity.  

While thinking about these opportunities, don’t forget to consider your current insurance plan if you are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, or employer plan. Review with your healthcare providers to find out if your treatment may change. Then inquire if the costs are going to change as a result of medication changes or treatment facilities? Or perhaps you anticipate retiring before Medicare age or going on disability. Perhaps you are already on disability and will be completing the 2-year mark and can go on Medicare. Now is the time to review your options before the enrollment period expires.   

Make sure you have the best possible insurance for your needs that you can afford. Don’t let an opportunity pass you by without investigating its benefits. Take a step to strengthen your health insurance program and possibly lighten your financial load.   

Additional information can be found at:  

Read the Full PEN-Powered Activity Guide VI

Steps to Improve Patient Access to Online Services

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The telehealth market is expected to experience an 80% year on year growth in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, with telehealth services easing the burden on traditional healthcare systems by urging patients with mild or moderate ailments to use web-based applications for treatment or management. Telemedicine also takes the lead in the cancer care strategy during the coronavirus outbreak and will continue to play a role in the future to support symptom management, lifestyle changes, and medication protocols. Therefore, access to online services to support patients with cancer is crucial to coordinate care from availing of financial aid and medical services to legal and psychological support. Empowering the patient to take control of their overall care using internet-based technologies can improve care coordination with medical and legal professionals and may also reduce the burden on the health care system.

Learn to Navigate the Web

Of vital importance to accessing online services is knowing how to use the internet to search for resources that you may need. In addition to the basics of having an email that you use to communicate, you must familiarize yourself with the main features of browsers such as clearing cache, bookmarking, and viewing history as well as the practicality of tabbed browsing.

Another important aspect of being internet savvy is to learn to use search engines such as Google, Bing, or Duck Duck Go effectively that will enable you to find answers to queries on all types of subjects. Know that you can also filter and refine your search to yield results that are suitable to your queries. Hence, if you are looking for lawyers that can help you find financial assistance for your cancer treatment, it will save you time since most professional websites are optimized for search engines nowadays. Professional sites do this by providing relevant and authoritative content that are useful to website visitors ranking them high whenever a query is typed in the search engine and results are displayed. Keywords that are often used by surfers are also incorporated in the text and articles of sites, making these portals easy to find by search engines.

Retrieve Information and Benefit From Online Access

Now that you are confident about using internet technology, there are many things that you can do online to assist in your cancer care management. One of the constraints in cancer care is health insurance. Access to government portals and organization websites such as the Social Security Administration (SSA) for disability insurance benefits or the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) which offers a data base of financial resources can already give you leads on where to get financial aid.

Although many people are benefiting from treatment outside of hospitals due to mounting medical costs, declining number of doctors, and an older cohort of patients who are living longer, outpatient care can lead to a decrease in support delivered by health care staff. The good news is internet-based tech including patient portals, websites, and apps can tip the scale to balance the perceived support deficiency.

The ability to access health records, choose health providers and place of treatment, book and cancel appointments online, find psychological support, and order prescription refills virtually are major steps in cancer care management. Telephony is also another feature of the internet offering free phone calls if a patient needs to talk to a healthcare provider or specialist urgently. Other forms of communication with doctors and hospitals include forums such as message boards and instant messaging. Mobile applications to track and fight cancer also make it easy for patients to sign up for trials and access research results and other information on the go.

Improved access to online services by learning to navigate the web efficiently and effectively can open up an entire virtual world to a person with cancer. It also empowers a patient by managing the coordination of their condition with different actors such as oncologists, lawyers, therapists, and psychologists.