Changes in Medical Communications Could Lead to a New Definition of ‘Bedside Manner’
The National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC) just released the latest issue of its National Women’s Health Report entitled “Women & Health Care Reform.” The report coincides with the start of Cover the Uninsured Week, an effort to gain support and awareness of the need for comprehensive health care reform to ensure all Americans have access to affordable health care coverage.
More than 47 million uninsured Americans are working full- or part-time and are still unable to afford health insurance. Another 25 million Americans are underinsured and unable to pay their medical bills, and therefore skipping needed care due to the cost. In fact, NWHRC’s 2008 Women TALK survey found that 45 percent of women skipped needed doctor’s visits, medication and other healthcare services due to cost.
“To address the issue of uninsured or underinsured, NWHRC has created an online toolkit that helps consumers explore free and low-cost prescription drug assistance as well as free and low-cost health checkups and screening programs,” said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive director of NWHRC. “This toolkit is part of NWHRC ongoing efforts to provide women with the tools and resources they need to support their health and well-being.”
The National Women’s Health Report also provides tips for navigating the health care system to ensure the best care possible at the best price. In addition, it considers the new ways consumers and providers are finding to interact via advanced technologies. Clinicians are texting for quick consults, sending patients appointment reminders via email, and keeping a cellular “eye” on hospitalized patients through text alerts and video feeds. Doctors also are using video email to deliver personalized test results so that patients have a record and reminder of important conversations.
To learn more, visit healthywomen.org. To access the uninsured toolkit, visit healthywomen.org/uninsured.