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Foreword
Here at Patient Empowerment Network ( PEN ), we value the opportunity to reach so many cancer patients and be able to relate and collaborate with them through curated content that we believe is relevant . Through PEN - Powered Activity Guides such as this one , our # PatientChats , blog posts , and educational media , PEN ’ s volunteers ; who are cancer patients and / or caregivers themselves ; take pride in driving PEN ’ s mission “ to fortify cancer patients and care partners with the knowledge and tools to boost their confidence , put them in control of their healthcare journey , and assist them in receiving the best , most personalized care available to ensure they have the best possible outcome .” Therefore , we have decided to identify ourselves as Empowerment Leads rather than Network Managers . While we do continue to focus on building networks within the cancer patient community , we found that “ leads ” fit better than “ managers ” as we look to lead patients in the right direction when it comes to quality , comprehensive cancer care . Health policy is focused on providing comprehensive care . It can be defined as , “ the laws , regulations , actions , and decisions implemented within society in order to promote wellness and ensure that specific health goals are met .” Examples of healthcare policy include protocols on how healthcare professionals respond to different medical emergencies , the handling of and administering of drugs , and access to healthcare coverage . As you can probably imagine , healthcare policy impacts patients and their families in a myriad of ways . From a cancer patient ’ s perspective , a policy can determine how patients are treated during their time in a hospital or infusion clinic . It can determine what drugs are available to patients and how much they ’ ll cost them and their employers . Perhaps most importantly , it can address the social determinants of health or the barriers that are in place that prevent patients from receiving care . Access to clean water , fresh foods , affordable housing , childcare services , and transportation all play a role in whether or not a patient ’ s care is not only equal to those of other patients but equitable . In our 10th PEN - Powered Activity Guide , you will find information on insurance and treatment access , how “ value ” in health care is defined , tools you can use to advocate for your own health , and more ! Please remember to share with your family , friends , and other patients , and we hope you enjoy it .
THYROID CANCER EMPOWERMENT LEAD Carly Flumer
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