Monday, June 28, 2010

Patient Advocacy in the Healthcare System

Learn how to advocate for yourself and your family throughout the healthcare system when Jacqueline O’Doherty of Health Care Connect discusses the topic at Bernardsville Public Library on Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 pm.

When a patient and his or her family are grappling with the stress of illness, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by treatments, medical options, follow-up care and insurance issues. Ms. O’Doherty will explain how people can navigate through confusing and complex medical situations, enabling them to make educated decisions after considering all their options. This includes the navigation of medical treatments from multiple providers, insurers, pharmaceuticals and other details that accompany healthcare.

Ms. O’Doherty will also talk about how to find the resources the patient needs to facilitate rehabilitation, follow-up care and long-term care options while stressing the importance of communication and coordination of care, as well as effective discharge planning. She’ll provide tips on managing the intricacies and complexities of the healthcare system.

Ms. O’Doherty came into Patient Advocacy after spending years in the medical industry, in medical device sales and then lab outreach, and seeing first hand the difficulties patients encountered when traveling the healthcare system. She says she “understands the guidance patients need to navigate the complex intricacies of our healthcare system.” She completed the Alpus Patient Advocacy Program at the University of Miami and now resides in Peapack-Gladstone where she runs her Patient Advocacy practice, Health Care Connect, LLC.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

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