Top 5 Healthcare Challenges for Busy Professionals and How Patient Advocacy Can Help
Hello and welcome to the Health Sense Advocates blog!
I’m Dr. Marina Moroz-Day, a pharmacist with nearly 20 years of healthcare experience and the founder of Health Sense Advocates. As a busy professional, I understand how healthcare challenges can add significant stress to your life. I’ve been there! Even as a healthcare professional, I felt overwhelmed. I didn’t know it at the time, but I do now: there is help available, and I want you to be aware of some of the ways patient advocacy can help you tackle these challenges effectively and bring much needed relief.
1. Navigating a Complex Healthcare System
Challenge: The US healthcare system is notoriously complex, fragmented, broken - insert your favorite adjective…we all have one! With numerous forms, procedures, and medical jargon, it can be difficult to navigate, especially if you’re not familiar with the industry.
Solution: Patient advocates streamline the process, guiding you through paperwork and procedures, ensuring you understand every step, and even handling many tasks on your behalf. This can significantly reduce the stress of managing your healthcare.
2. Managing Multiple Healthcare Providers and Appointments
Challenge: Coordinating care among various specialists can be stressful and time-consuming, sometimes taking hours out of your week, especially if you can’t afford to wait months for an appointment! Scheduling appointments, ensuring all providers have the correct information, and keeping track of medical records can feel like a full-time job.
Solution: Patient advocates take time to ensure clear, coordinated communication, organize records, and keep all providers on the same page, making the most of your limited appointment time and preventing any gaps in your care.
3. Understanding Treatment Options and Making Informed Decisions
Challenge: Are you aware of all of the treatment options for your condition? Do you know which informational sources to trust? Choosing the right treatment requires time, research, and sometimes, a second opinion. Providers don’t always have the time or take the time to go over the different treatment options and benefits/risks of each.
Solution: Patient advocates can provide clear, comprehensive, evidence-based information from trusted medical sources about your options, which you can then take to your provider. Discussing with your provider which option would work best for you and your situation or lifestyle allows for shared decision-making and results in better health outcomes.
4. Handling Emotional Stress and Mental Health
Challenge: Managing a chronic illness or medical condition can take a significant emotional toll. Stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed can impact your mental health and overall well-being, as well as those around you.
Solution: Patient advocates provide the support you need, taking on an active role as your partner on this journey to help you maintain your mental and emotional well-being.
5. Finding Time for Healthcare Management in a Busy Schedule
Challenge: Fitting healthcare tasks into a busy schedule can seem impossible. Between work, family, and other responsibilities, you have a million other things you’d rather be doing.
Solution: Patient advocates take on these tasks, big and small, allowing you to focus on your work and personal life.
Conclusion
Managing a chronic illness or an acute medical challenge can be extremely overwhelming, especially for busy professionals. With the right support and guidance of a patient advocate, navigating your medical challenges can be more manageable and your health outcomes can be significantly improved. Health Sense Advocates is here for you. Let's chat about how we can streamline your healthcare journey, reduce your stress, and ensure you’re making informed decisions.
Thank you for reading, and we look forward to supporting you!
