you can see up to a dozen specialists,
none of whom spend more than a few
minutes with you.” In other words, we
typically don’t have one central person
who can interpret all the medical-ese,
help us make decisions and guide us
through treatment.
Enter the patient advocate, who can
steer you through and hold your hand.
“We become the voice and the eyes of
the patient,” says Deb Kirkland, R.N.,
M.P.H., a nurse navigator at the Her-
man & Walter Samuelson Breast Care
Center at Northwest Hospital, in Bal-
timore. “Patients may only absorb 10
percent of what their doctors say, so I
help put all the pieces of their treat-
ment together.” Kirkland’s job, for in-
stance, involves coordinating meetings
with a woman’s breast surgeon, on-
cologist, plastic surgeon and even the “We become the voice and the eyes of the patient,” explains
geneticist, if one is needed. She not
only helps her patients understand Deb Kirkland, a nurse navigator at a Baltimore hospital.
what’s happening to them at every step,
she also assists them in managing their How do you choose one? Before or after your hospital stay
real lives. So if transportation to a doc- While you’re in the hospital, simply you may want to consider reaching out
tor’s appointment, child care or house- ask to see the in-house patient advo- to a nonprofit health advocacy agency,
cleaning is necessary, Kirkland can help cate, representative or navigator (dif- such as the Patient Advocate Founda-
a woman arrange that too. “I make sure ferent facilities use different titles). If tion (patientadvocate.org). Their ser-
patients understand their options,” she you opt to use someone you know as vices are free and they’re particularly
says. “Then I speak up for them.” your advocate, consider your choice good at helping with insurance issues,
If your hospital doesn’t have an ad- carefully. The advocate you choose finding ways to get your medical bills
vocate on staff, or you just feel more must make sure your needs and wish- paid and alleviating medical debt.
comfortable choosing a relative or close es are represented—not his or her own. There are also advocates you can hire,
pal to help you, that person can be just Remember that most patients are but be aware that these are unlicensed
as effective as a pro can, says Weil. “He frightened and a calming presence will and unregulated (though they may be
or she can help the patient absorb and serve you better than someone who licensed in another specialty or profes-
interpret information as well as make may make fears worse. “You need to sion), so there are no guarantees. The
e
s
g
sure the patient’s questions are an- find someone who is not going to be bottom line? If you’re in the hospital,
a
i
m
swered.” Look for someone who has adversarial to the healthcare team,” asking to see the patient advocate or
e
r
the time and energy to help you keep advises Weil. “You want someone who choosing someone you know and trust
e
d
p
i
t
a
t
r /
j
u
track of your medications, tests and will draw the healthcare team to you, to stand up for you can be a tremen-
k
p
o
r
c
doctor appointments; push for a dif- not drive them away.” And if your ad- dous source of peace of mind at a time
o
o
c
e
s
t
i
n
r
ferent hospital room or provider if one vocate is familiar with the ins and outs when you may need it most. tp
e
e
r
s
p
i
is needed; take notes at doctor visits; of the healthcare world (such as a for- nancy gottesman is a health writer
v
i
n
© © and translate insurance and bills. mer nurse), that’s even better. living in Los Angeles.
the patient magazine 2010 15
PT014__0FVP0_SP10DEPTvisiting.indd 15 2/9/10 12:48 PM
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