Bedside Advocates
Bedside Advocates is a group of Boston Area retired physicians with a new mission: provide volunteer advocates to patients and their families to help them navigate the healthcare setting.
They hope to make it a nationwide model of retired nurse, physician assistants, and, other health care providers who will accompany patients along their journey, and, speak out for them, answer questions, or, just keep them company.
This idea is not without controversy, though, as physicians and hospitals are concerned about privacy issues, and, liability.
Even with the unanswered questions, what a wonderful idea! I don’t support it because I think health care systems are “out to get” a patient and they need protecting, I just know how important it is for you to feel like someone caring and knowledgeable is with you during a stressful time.
I’m a nurse, and, even though I knew what was going on when my mother was hospitalized with cancer, it still would have been nice to have someone with the time to answer questions. I have no idea how my parents would have fared if I wasn’t a nurse, or, if I wasn’t around during all that hospital time, but, so many people go through it on their own.
I wish the best to this dedicated group.
via Hsien
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3 opinions for Bedside Advocates
JayMonster
Feb 27, 2007 at 6:58 am
This sounds like an awesome thing. Especially as you said, for those that don’t have help around them.
I was a EMT in a previous (career) life, and have some limited knowledge that helped (and helps) navigate some of this and while I still feel lost sometimes, I can’t help think about the poor people that have no idea what they are getting themselves into at times and have to go on blind faith.
Flybunny
Feb 27, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I wish this was offered in my area. While I go and listen and take notes, my accounting background really doesn’t do a lot of good. Although I have become very attached to my Websters Medical Dictionary - it has helped me on so many occasions when I just don’t understand. This would be nice so I could dialogue and ask the questions as they come to mind instead of writing them down and trying to remember to ask them the next time we are with the Dr.
Mr. Beefy
Mar 29, 2007 at 3:32 pm
I think this a terrific idea. My Father was diagnosed with cancer and we just could not be there all the time.
I don’t have any medical background, but know enough to get me by. I wish something like this had come around long ago. I am sure this will help patients and thier families through the most troubling times.
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