To Medical Care Providers and Professionals:
It is without a doubt that the healthcare system is a challenging environment for patients to navigate. The situation becomes more complex in the advent of a chronic, debilitating, or terminal diagnosis. Feelings of fear and confusion frequently take over at a time when clarity, strength, decisiveness, and proactivity are required. Medical practice itself is becoming increasingly more complex, with more and more stringent regulations being imposed seemingly on a daily basis. Physicians are overwhelmed with administrative, clerical, insurance, and electronic health record (EHR) responsibilities in the context of increasing patient loads. Buried in a sea of papers and regulatory compliance, physicians unfortunately have less and less time to spend with each patient. Enlightening Results works to bridge the gap between patients and doctors, tending to patients’ unmet needs of education, undivided attention, and continual support. I partner with clients and their loved ones during times of medical necessity, providing them with the information they need to make educated decisions about their care and to be proactive patients. I serve as a liaison between the patient and doctor, offering medical translation of diagnoses and “doctor-talk” in lay terms. By working in parallel with physicians and medical care teams, my patient advocacy services empower patients to understand their medical diagnosis, their treatment options, and prepare them throughout the course of their care. It has been my experience that not only do many patients get lost because of medical jargon and hurried explanations during an appointment, but often patients do not understand what is expected of them at the end of the visit. Consequently, we now have a very ill, confused, and frustrated patient who is at a loss as to what to do next with respect to their care. This is the least desirable outcome, benefits no one, and is not the best use of either the patient’s or physician’s time.
Patients need to be prepared for their appointments with their physician. They need to be empowered to participate in their appointment or be supported during it with an advocate by their side. Patients also need a clear understanding of next steps at the end of their appointment. Enlightening Results provides clients with information from medically credible sources and educates them on their diagnosis, treatment options, and procedures. Many clients may have other comorbid conditions in their history and need assistance with coordinating their care. Maintenance of a comprehensive medical record history, prescription list, and procedure timelines provides a transparent understanding of a client’s current medical status. My goal as a patient advocate is to improve and enhance the patient process and to make your job easier. It is of utmost importance to emphasize that I do not examine, diagnose, or treat any patients. I do not offer second opinions or prescribe medications. I do not offer any formal medical care and am not in any form a substitute for professional medical care. My services are not covered by insurance and would never impact any aspect of a patient's insurance coverage. Please contact me to discuss arranging patient advocacy services for a patient or with any questions or concerns.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Grace Cordovano, BCPA