Patients need help with complex health care system
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook Medical Center has created a new position at Aroostook Cancer Care to assist oncology patients with navigating through their diagnosis and treatment. Lori Bouchard, RN, who has served as an oncology nurse at Aroostook Cancer Care since December 2008, will fill the oncology nurse navigator position.
Prior to joining the TAMC family, she worked as a registered nurse at Cary Medical Center for more than two decades. Bouchard is a 1984 graduate of the nursing program at Eastern Maine Medical Center’s School of Nursing.
ONCOLOGY TEAM — Lori Bouchard, RN, left, the new oncology nurse navigator at Aroostook Cancer Care, with oncology nurse Tina Ward, RN.
“I’m so excited about this appointment,” said Bouchard. “It is something that is much needed for the patients who are facing this new diagnosis.”
According to Aroostook Cancer Care Manager Brenda Baker, health care is becoming more complex and the health care system more difficult to navigate.
“This is especially true for patients facing a life-threatening illness,” said Baker. “The emotional distress that follows receiving the message ‘you have cancer’ makes this navigation all the more difficult.”
TAMC created this position to support and assist patients throughout their journey. Baker said that, at times, staff has assisted patients and their families as they struggle with transportation, financial challenges and worries, and a need for lodging.
Radiation therapy patients receive therapy five days per week, and some of these patients travel up to 100 miles to receive treatment.
“For some who live a great distance away, the daily rides cause stressors physically and financially,” said Baker.
Bouchard, as oncology nurse navigator, will assist patients that lack insurance to cover costly treatments apply for health insurance coverage and patient assistance programs. A dedicated staff member assisting patients with these complex needs will decrease that particular stressor, according to Baker.
“Currently staff assist as much as possible, but to have one person dedicated to the patient’s needs will be great for all involved,” said Baker.
In addition to assisting patients without insurance, the oncology nurse navigator will facilitate appointments and make transitions of care from one care provider to the next. Bouchard will assist patients with financial barriers, transportation issues, and symptom management. The position is designed to improve communication between patients, family, caregivers, oncologists, and other care providers.
Aroostook Cancer Care provides medical oncology and hematology services in a modern, comfortable treatment area in the East Wing of A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital and finds the best treatment plan to address each patient’s specific needs. Staff collaborates with experts at other cancer treatment centers to ensure that patients have access to the most advanced treatment options.
This new position is the latest effort in TAMC’s campaign to support cancer patients.
TAMC has teamed up with local radio stations to raise more than $40,000 for cancer care and better equipment over the past two years through a Rally On The Roof event. In October 2012, TAMC and four County media outlets began a year-long collaborative effort to honor a dozen individuals from throughout northern Maine with The County Cancer Hall of Courage.
