Helping patients navigate the unknown waters of complex health conditions

We’ve likely all experienced the relief that a GPS system can provide when we’re unsure of our surroundings or in uncharted territory. It’s with this same sense of relief that a group of North Shore patients are beginning to experience the benefits of the Chronic Disease Coordinator, a new position designed to help guide patients as they navigatge the uncharted waters of managing their multiple complex health conditions.

Helping these patients understand, and then advocate for, the best care is proving to be a rewarding task for RN Princeton Huang, who has been offering his services to all North Shore GPs for the last 14 months. Offering everything from clinical assessments, support service referrals, care coordination and self-management support and education, each day is very unique, and very rewarding.

“The folks I see have multiple complex health conditions, usually four or five significant issues,” says Princeton. “I’m grateful because I can take a little more time with patients who need detailed, customized help than most GPs are able to,” he says. While appointments with physicians are typically scheduled for 15 minutes, Princeton’s first visits with patients tend to average 60 to 90 minutes.

“We have the time to help patients understand why their GP has recommended or prescribed a certain treatment or approach,” says Princeton. “Then we give them options for how to manage their condition and they make their own choices which can be incredibly powerful for people who are potentially quite ill.”

The Chronic Disease Navigator is another piece of VCH-Coastal’s IPCC Network (Integrated Primary & Community Care). For more information on this service, or any other Chronic Disease Service on the North Shore, call 604-984-5752 or e-mail nscds@vch.ca