Education is a Team Effort

Prior to arriving at my host site, Philadelphia Department of Public Health-AHS Health Center #2, for my term of service I had a very vague idea of the role I would play as a patient advocate. I was unsure of the impact I would have on patients and if I would be an effective member of the Health Center 2 staff. However, shortly after my orientation I understood Health Center #2 to be a team, of which every member was essential to helping the operation run smoothly. From the nurses, to the nutritionist, to the radiology technicians, everyone provides a service that is needed to maintain the overall health of the patient.

Not having insurance or not having sufficient medical coverage can make it very difficult for patients to get the medication they need to maintain their health. As a patient advocate this is where I step in. I act as an intermediary between the patient and the pharmaceutical company, helping patients enroll in prescription savings program. Many of these programs offer free or reduced priced medications. Everyday, this position gives me the opportunity to see exactly how the staff works together to inform the patients of the services we offer and provide them with a healthier lifestyle. Being able to receive the proper medication to maintain your health is a crucial component of managing your health and with the help of the doctors, patients learn about the service provided by the patient advocates. The doctors refer eligible patients to myself and my fellow AmeriCorps member, and we begin the enrollment process. Most of the patients who come to the Patient Assistance Office are unaware of the services we offer. To many of the patients, the burden of figuring out how to get much needed medication is lifted.

When the patients come to our office we try to educate them not only about the patient assistance program, but about other aspects of the health center. After a brief screening, if the patient seems to be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare we suggest they see one of the benefit counselors to help them apply for insurance. For those patients who are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare we refer them to the insurance specialist at the health center who may be able to help the patient enroll in insurance through the healthcare marketplace. The entire staff works hard to ensure that the patients have all the necessary tools to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Health Centers are invaluable resources to the population they serve because of the multiple services that are offered within one building. Patients who have difficulty finding transportation to their doctors appointment at the health center do not then have to try and find transportation to another facility to sign up for insurance or to speak with a nutritionist or to have blood work done. Not only do staff members serve as educators, but message boards in the waiting rooms helping to bring patient awareness of all the services we offer. If needed, patients are able to speak with a nutritionist about health, diet, and exercise or social workers and youth care coordinators for help with more personal issues. Thus far, I have experienced and learned so much from the staff at the health center. I have begun to understand some of the qualities necessary to effectively distribute information to patients and be a member of the Health Center #2 team that provides so much guidance and support to the population we serve. 
 

This blog post was written by NHC Philadelphia member Olivia James.
Olivia serves as a Patient Advocate at Philadelphia Department of Public Health - Ambulatory Health Services: Health Center 2.