Comments for Patient Navigator

Comment on Pain Management – Why Doctors Don’t Get It by Charles Fifer

Charles Fifer — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:47:20 +0000

I am one of the unfortunate statistics in the catigory of undertreated chronic pain. In short, I have a seizure disorder that causes serious physical bodily harm when I have them. They have caused multiple dislocations of both shoulders as well as torn rotator cuffs, comperssion fractures of the spine to name a few. My seizure disorder started on january 6,2008, and has only gotten worse since then. After four years, many different attempts to decrease the seizures with medications and ever increasing dammage, broken bones and pain with no end in sight, I have given up. I honestly feel as if I have been left behind and I was completely unprepaired for the total lack of compassion and humanity that I have been experiencing. Before my personal experience with this type of pain, I believed that people were mostly under general circumstances good and would do the right thing most of the time. I have always lived a life of trying to give the best of myself to others, to be as honest and caring as I possibly can, and always give the benifit of the doubt until such a time that I was given a valid reason to believe otherwise.
I think I have greatly overestimated people after recent events, and I now believe the rest of my days will be lived in increasing pain and seizures (of which I don’t know when they are going to happen), And I hope that someday that there will be more compassion and a greater understanding of pain and it’s appropriate treatment!

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator – 2011 Update by Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:19:02 +0000

Hi, I’m curious about the educational requirements for becoming a patient navigator. I do not have a background in health care but do hold a bachelors degree and am working towards a Masters Degree in other fields. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 at the age of 36 and it changed my life. I didn’t have someone to walk me through the process. Ever since, I have been drawn to to helping people through their journey with cancer and have been searching for opportunities to change career fields to somthing I am passionate about. I am wondering if there are training programs available for people who cannot be a “nurse navigator”? Thank you for your time!

Melissa

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator by Jana Frankel

Jana Frankel — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:41:21 +0000

I am a 2 time breast cancer survivor and have over 20 yrs working in HIV/Cancer education & counseling. I currently work in a cancer registry & as a volunteer Reach to Recovery & Leg. Ambassador for the ACS. I would like to network with Patient Navigators to find out how they got into this field. My goal is to do this part time and cont with it after I retire from my current job.
janafrankel7@yahoo.com

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator by Debbie Blackmon, South Carolina

Debbie Blackmon, South Carolina — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:08:46 +0000

I am a breast cancer survivor with twenty eight years of teaching behind me. I am very interested in becoming a patient navigator after having a wonderful navigator myself. I also faced many challenges with insurance that I could see many just giving in and not wanting to fight for what is right during the illness/treatments. I want to be the voice for people not only to insurance companies but for their journey and for all that will taking the journey with the patient. I was given a notebook which was like my Cancer Bible. I have had the opportunity to pay it forward to my principal and his family recently when he was diagnosed by making him a notebook. His wife tells me weekly she just doesn’t know what they would have done without it. Please advise me in what direction to go to become a patient navigator. I have heard there are “lay” navigators now. I live in South Carolina and look forward to hearing from you.

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator – Update by blog

blog — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:12:33 +0000

I am not aware of certification programs for survivorship, but suggest you look into the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship at http://www.canceradvocacy.org/

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator – Update by Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:51:48 +0000

Are there any survivorship navigation certification programs out there yet?

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator by Annie Jordan LVN

Annie Jordan LVN — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:45:29 +0000

Hello,
I’m been working as an LVN for 7 years in a critical care facitlity. I love what I do and at times I get an inkling at wantint to return to school. My age, money, etc sometimes causes doubt for me. I feel theres something else I’m suppose to do with the education and experience I have. I’ve never heart of “Patient Navigation” until I read the Oct. 2011 Essence Magazine in the article “The Black Womans Guide to Breast Cancer”. After reading the article, I thought this sounds like something I need to check out. I sounds like this fix who I am. In reality, nurses are truly not able to be advocates for our patients. We’re taught that in nursing school, but the doctors, insurance companies, administrators and all the top dogs make it impossible. It can be frustrating at times. I feel the need to do more and patient navagation seems to be calling me out. Unfortunately, I do live in a very small town pop. under 30,000. I doubt VERY seriously we if such a position assist here. But, I would like to learn more about this, get the necessary training needed to venture into this new field. I can still do floor nursing possibly and yet be in an arena to truly make a difference for the patients. I live in Paris, TX. If you know a way I can make this happen from here, do let me know. Meanwhile, I will continue to do some research on this. Afterall, a Patient Navigator needs to know what and where to search and obtain information. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you.

Comment on Pain Management – Why Doctors Don’t Get It by david

david — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:41:03 +0000

Doctors dont get it because they dont want to get it and government has failed to ensure the best interests of people in pain are being served by a medical profession that is trained and determined to ‘alleviate pain and suffering” The issues with opioids are a red herring-the real problem is doctors- 80% in a survey cant diagnose pain-becuase they are not interested in learning how. Furthermore they arent trained to offer dry needling, eswt, hypnosis,low level lasers, idet- to name a few treatments for pain. The IOM says 116 million Americans suffer chronic pain-and at a cost of over $600 billion/year- one would think thats a 400 pound Gorilla thAT COULDNT BE IGNORED-BuT IT LASGELY STILL IS IGNORED

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator by Melanie Gavanes

Melanie Gavanes — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:02:06 +0000

I am the mother of twins – one with special needs. We are often thrown into situations that we no nothing about but the well being of a loved one requires we become specialists and advocates with no time to transition. People are forced to make decisions that effect the entire family’s future at a time they do not have the luxury of evaluating all options. I live in Chicago area; where do you recommend obtaining training in this field? Do you have upcoming seminars? My background is in the insurance industry and I have a business degree.

Comment on Becoming a Patient Navigator – Update by Peg Rummel

Peg Rummel — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:18:18 +0000

Tina,
I would like to talk to you regarding your program start up kit. I can be reached via email or 215-614-1819