Navigating the System

When I think of the word'navigator," the first thought that pops into my mind is of a compass. A compass is there to guide you when you are lost and confused about where you are going. It provides a sense of direction. As a Health Navigator with the Smart Chicago Collaborative placed in the Cook County Fantus Clinic, my role is to act similarly to a compass and help guide patients through the resources available at the clinic.

The Fantus General Medicine Clinic (GMC) strives to be a'Patient Centered Medical Home." This means that it is a place where patients receive comprehensive health care focused on the patient and respects their unique needs, culture, and values. Patients have access to a wide range of health care professionals and services, including their primary physician, nurses, medical assistants, social workers, a dietician, financial assistants, and health navigators. There are many challenges that patients face in understanding how this system works, such as language barriers and low health literacy. My fellow Chicago Health Corps Health Navigators and I do our best to try to break some of these barriers and educate patients about resources and initiatives that the clinic has to improve their health outcomes.

One important initiative we've focused on with patients is helping them create self-management goals. Setting self-management goals is a way to empower patients to make small changes in their lifestyle to improve their health. It gives patients the chance to address their personal health concerns and meet realistic goals.  We work one-on-one with patients in the waiting room to help them create their goals. Then when they meet with their doctor, they can have a conversation about their own health goals and what they feel is important about their own health as the patient.  This upholds the'Patient Centered Medical Home" model by putting the patient and their individual needs at the center of their care.

Another resource that we educate patients about is the'Patient Portal." The Portal is a website where patients can view their health information. They can see the dates of their future appointments are, read notes from past appointments, request refills, view lab results, and send messages to their medical team.  This can save the patients a lot of time and hassle from trying to come to the clinic since they can use this resource at their homes. We send interested patients an invitation to sign up for the Portal and even create email accounts for individuals who don't have one but are interested in using the Portal as a way of reducing the technological barrier that may prevent people from utilizing this service.

It has been challenging, yet rewarding so far to be able to help patients understand the health system here and the resources available for them to improve their health. There are days when patients in the waiting room aren't as receptive to the information we have to offer.  But the positive interactions I've had with patients who are interested in learning more about what GMC has to offer and ways to improve their health definitely motivate me to keep finding creative ways of engaging the patients.  I've also been able to serve many Spanish speaking patients by expanding my Spanish skills in order to reduce the language barrier that many patients face.  With the support of Smart Chicago Collaborative and staff members at GMC, we will continue to be a positive form of guidance, education, and support for patients.

This post was written by CHC member Katie Reed.

Katie serves as a Health Navigator at Smart Chicago Collaborative.