November 17, 2009 at 7:21 pm | Cancer, Elder Care, Health Care Reform, Integrative Care, NAHAC, Uncategorized
- Posted by blog |
The National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (www.nahac.com) held a successful inaugural conference November 14-15 in Berkeley, California.
As a former diplomat, I’ve always loved the phrase associated with our post-war Secretary of State Dean Acheson – to be “present at the creation.”
This is exactly how we all felt this weekend – to be present at the creation of an important organization leading the way for for our new profession. We participated in two intense days of workshops, networking and strategic planning. Our next conference will be held in Washington, D.C. in November 2010.
The National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) is designed to bring together under a professional umbrella the many individuals now working around the country as navigators and advocates. One of our intial goals is to develop a code of ethics and to build business and professional resources. The other key goal of the Association will be to provide a clear voice and reasoned opinions on policy matters related to navigating the healthcare system, patient advocacy and health care reform. As health care reform winds its way through the Congress, the Association will be vigilant about the many forthcoming changes so that we can continue to help the families we work with find their way through the system to achieve the best possible outcomes.
As I’ve described in previous posts, the emerging field of patient navigation and patient advocacy has burst onto the scene in 2009. Advocates and navigators work to fill the glaring gaps in the U.S. healthcare delivery system which is fragmented, confusing, expensive, and inefficient. Since 2005, my company Patient Navigator LLC has been helping families solve problems, navigate the complexities of the American healthcare system and benefit from an integrative approach to treatment and recovery. Now as Vice President of the NAHAC, I look forward to helping chart the course for our new profession. To learn more, please visit www.nahac.com
November 5, 2009 at 5:37 pm | Caregivers, Integrative Care, Other health issues, Uncategorized
- Posted by blog |
As the parent of an 8-month-old baby boy, I have been grappling with this difficult decision. I myself have always been wary of the flu shot, getting my first only last year while pregnant with my son. I have been vaccinating my son according to his pediatrician’s guidelines but all the while hesitant due to the highly publicized debate surrounding vaccines and autism. I would be lying if I said I didn’t closely monitor his behavior for weeks after receiving vaccines for any sign of something out of the ordinary. How was I to decide if my little boy, who’s so vulnerable to outside influences, should receive this new, controversial vaccine?
My husband and I starting taking a poll amongst our friends and family members, to which the results were completely split down the middle. Some said no, don’t do it, only give him the regular flu shot, others said yes, absolutely vaccinate for swine flu, you’re crazy not to. Our pediatrician said we should vaccinate. He said that doctors have been giving children vaccines for decades. Even the seasonal flu vaccine has a different composition each year so we should treat the swine flu shot as if we are giving him the regular seasonal flu shot. At this visit, my son left after having the regular seasonal flu shot and not the H1N1 shot. I needed more time to think about the subject and to discuss with my husband.
After countless conversations with friends in the medical field, friends with children the same ages and doing my online research at www.flu.gov and www.cdc.gov, I think we’re going to vaccinate. We haven’t done it yet, because the thought of giving my little guy two different flu strains in the same setting terrifies me but we’re going to vaccinate. Now all I need to do is get an appointment with the doctor’s office to vaccinate but they are completely booked. I guess that means that other parents are vaccinating too!
Please let us know your thoughts on the H1N1 vaccination and what you would do. Submitted by Heather Matthews, Guest Editor, Cancer Research Specialist at Patient Navigator LLC
November 3, 2009 at 1:03 am | Cancer, Caregivers, Chronic Disease, Elder Care, Health Care Reform, Integrative Care, Problem Solving, Training, Uncategorized
- Posted by blog |
We were recently on a radio show! Patricia Grace of Aging with Grace interviewed Elisabeth Russell October 26. If you are interested in hearing the types of things Patient Navigator can do to help you or a loved one, please listen in. We welcome your feedback.
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