Consumers learn health care savvy at 'Patient School'

The Health Center is offering a “patient school” program to help health care consumers advocate for themselves, their children, and their aging parents.

The program is the first in the country.

“We’ve put together a course that addresses some of the most compelling and confusing issues that face health care consumers today,” says Dr. Robert Trestman, director the Connecticut Health Signature Program and program director of Patient School.

“As a public academic medical center, we are committed to bringing patient education to a new level.

“This is an educational program for anyone who has ever been a patient, will be a patient, or advocates for patients – and that’s pretty much everyone,” Trestman adds.

Dr. Scott Wetstone, an associate professor of community medicine and health care, says, “Patients in today’s health care environment can face daunting and stressful hurdles. There’s a wealth of information available from a variety of sources, some accurate, some not.

“We believe this program can significantly help patients become wise and savvy health care consumers,” he adds.

“Knowledge and information are the foundation for maximizing patient care and being your own best advocate, and direct instruction from professional experts is the best place to build that foundation.”

Class participant Sharon Madsen was eager to attend patient school on two counts, her own health care and that of her aging mother.

“I want to feel like I’m in control – that I’m helping to steer this doctor-patient partnership,” Madsen says.

“The more I know, the more I can be involved in my own health care and help advocate for my mother. Patient School is a great idea.”

In today’s managed care environment, involvement in one’s own health care is more important than ever, according to Charles Huntington III, an assistant professor of community medicine and health care, who taught during the first class on March 1.

“Gone are the days when your doctor told you what to do, and then you did it,” Huntington says.

“Gone are the days when you’d leisurely sit in your physician’s private office and chat about your health.

“Nationwide, a routine office visit currently takes about 15 minutes,” he says.

“Patients need to be prepared to make the most of that time.”

Part of that preparation includes making sure patients have complete and accurate medical information at their fingertips.