AdvoConnection’s advocates were thrilled to have been included in an article called Someone on Your Side (A new prescription for navigating the medical maze) in the August 2010 issue of O Magazine.
The article begins with a patient story. Tracy Cloninger figured out what so many patients do — that the healthcare system just isn’t paying enough attention. When her endocrinologist failed to schedule her radiation treatments for her thyroid cancer, Tracy hired Hari Khalsa, the Health Whisperer (patient advocate located in Massachusetts.)
Gail Gazelle, MD, from MD Can Help was quoted extensively in the article as well. Gail pointed out the benefits of hiring an MD as your advocate. We should point out here that not all aspects of patient advocacy assistance would require an MD. When you interview an advocate, you can determine whether an MD is required.
If you want to learn more about your diagnosis, Ken Schueler of HKS Advocates, another AdvoConnection member advocate, provides a suggestion for a great resource – disease advocacy groups.
And Trisha Torrey, founder of AdvoConnection and author of You Bet Your Life! The 10 Mistakes Every Patient Makes (How to Fix Them to Get the Health Care You Deserve) was also quoted. Her bottom line? Make sure the advocate you hire has the credentials that will help you best. MDs, nurses, nurse practitioners and others with medical training can be important for some advocacy needs. But sometimes an insurance or claims specialist, or even just someone who can check in with you (or your loved one) to provide drug dose reminders is all that’s needed.
Read more about Hari Khalsa, the Health Whisperer at her website.
Read more about Gail Gazelle at MDCanHelp.
Read more about Ken Schueler at HKS Patient Advocates.
Many thanks to Leslie Goldman, author of the article. She got patient advocacy right – a new career for some, and a lifesaver for others.
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Do you want to explore the possibility of hiring a patient advocate to help you with your healthcare? Check out AdvoConnection to find one.
Are you an advocate? Or are you thinking about a career as an advocate? Learn more about AdvoConnection membership.
Congratulations Trisha on national promotion and sharing your wisdom with the world. I hope it brings your work the attention it deserves. Thanks for inspiring us all. Tracy Higginbotham, President, Women TIES (www.womenties.com)