Greetings!
You won't like your life if you fall into the UNINFORMED PATIENT TRAP!
Jasmine had gallstone attacks that were becoming memorable. She wanted and needed to lose them as soon as possible. We referred her to an excellent surgeon who agreed to operate. She was admitted to hospital and taken off food and water in preparation for the minimally invasive procedure.
That is when the story became complicated. She was moved to the operating room and sent back to her hospital room at least six times over twenty four hours, without the procedure being done.
Her husband was emailing us frequently for support each time his delightful wife was bumped. One of my emails explained to him that "bumping rules are at play here". "Trauma victims take precedence over gallbladder attacks. That is the way it is."
It was very important for both Jasmine and her husband to have timely access to their team of professionals at Rupert Case Management. Jasmine's advocates at RCM provided the support and knowledge about how the system works so that she and her husband were able to adapt and cope.
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| Avoid the Uninformed Patient Trap | |
Everyone acknowledges that the system is so complex that every patient needs an advocate. Patients without knowledge of the system or their condition(s) have no rights.
With the appropriate guidance, coaching and knowledge provided by a professional advocate, the patient acquires rights that can be expressed by asking the relevant questions.
The advocate has to anticipate the patient's needs. RCM has completed hundreds of uber complex cases, and that experience helps us to help our clients. That is the essence of effective advocacy.
The important work of the advocate is to encourage collaboration where there is none, to keep all the healthcare professionals focused on the patient's needs, and to advise the patient and family in order to avoid the UNINFORMED PATIENT TRAP.
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| To Start the Conversation Call 800-620-7551 | |
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The bottom line is that the system is very complex and that every patient will benefit from advocacy. The advocate must be a healthcare professional with extensive experience in navigating the system. Over time, everyone will recognize that advocacy is here to stay and that patients benefit from advocacy.
Raymond Rupert MD. MBA.
Rupert Case Management Inc.
1006 Avenue Road
Toronto, ON M5P 2K8
direct: 416-488-9412 ext. 103
24*7: 800-620-7551
fax: 416-981-8870
cell: 416-543-6514
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