Guiding Patients No Matter the Distance
The Situation
When a caregiver employee reached out to Navvisa, she was seeking guidance regarding her brother undergoing cancer treatments. The catch? Her brother resides in a different country and has young children, so traveling to the United States was not a feasible option.
With this in mind, the caregiver employee wanted education about her brother’s diagnosis, resources to help her brother during his cancer journey, nutritional guidance for her brother during chemotherapy, and personal risk assessment for herself.
Navvisa Intervention
As we provide to all of our care clients, Navvisa provided the caregiver and her brother with a Navvisa certified oncology nurse guide. Their personal nurse guide not only shared cancer education in the appropriate foreign language, but was also able to research and provide resources within the patient’s country of residence. In addition, their nurse guide was able to confirm that the treatment the brother received met the U.S. gold standard. The patient also received nutrition consultations to ensure that the patient received adequate nutrition during chemotherapy.
Caregiving for an immediate family member is challenging both mentally and physically. It can also bring up questions about one’s own cancer risk. With this in mind, the caregiver employee looked to Navvisa for help. Her oncology nurse guide was able to help her receive a genetic work up and cancer risk assessment, which included familial risks.
The Outcome
With the help of a Navvisa certified oncology nurse, the patient successfully avoided relocation for treatment and the stress that comes with it. This was done by helping the patient to utilize resources in their home country. In addition, nutrition consultations provided to the patient led to better nutrition during treatment as well as reduced side effects. For the caregiver, Navvisa was able to help her learn her own genetic risks and receive custom recommendations for screening and risk reduction.
Caregivers provide an average of 32.9 hours of care per week, resulting in high levels of emotional, physical, and financial strain. These stresses make them twice as likely to develop their own chronic condition, resulting in additional health care costs for their employer.
Navvisa offers personalized, expert cancer support and guidance to patients, caregivers, and survivors provided virtually by a certified oncology nurse. Our nurses can educate your employees on what cancer screenings are appropriate for them and help them to get proper care for themselves and their loved ones. From connecting patients to resources to virtual attendance at doctor visits, Navvisa certified oncology nurses are committed to patient advocacy and proper care for everyone.