Health care: One-stop shopping?

It seems like there’s never enough time to find new physicians, outpatient and wellness services, or learn one’s way around large health care networks. In today’s busy world, families like Andrea Mansfield’s need “one-stop shopping” when it comes to meeting health care needs.

Mansfield is part of the “sandwich generation” – she has a full-time career, cares for her parents, two children and her own health as she approaches her midlife years.

“I have lots of demands on my time from my career, my family and finding time for myself,” Mansfield said. “It becomes a juggling act to take time off for doctors’ appointments.”

Many health care providers are listening to busy consumers and responding by providing easier access to services.

“It’s not unusual for health care systems to implement centers to ‘house’ various services and resources,” said Karen Bolin, R.N., vice president, Women’s and Children’s Services, Norton Healthcare. “These resource centers coordinate educational classes, community offerings and facility navigation. It’s a convenient one-stop shopping concept.”

“I wanted someone I could sit down with, who could assess my health care needs, coordinate services for me and direct me on how to move through the health care network,” Mansfield said. “I needed more than calling a number and getting three doctor referrals.”

Easy access is vital for millions like Mansfield, especially women, who in many cases are the health care decision makers for their families.

–Jennifer Stewart

Resource center comes to Norton Women’s Pavilion

Women now have access to a resource center dedicated to providing health education and support for various life phases and medical needs from a reputable name with a history of providing services specific to women’s needs.

The Marshall Women’s Health & Education Center at Norton Suburban Hospital, opening in July, will give women access to health and wellness classes, resource materials and on-site clinical staff to help women maximize available services by guiding them through Norton Healthcare’s comprehensive network. All services will be linked and will work in tandem to help provide information, education, navigation and physician referrals.

“The center will serve as a single communication hub to provide a seamless patient care experience for women of all ages accessing care or seeking resources,” Bolin said.

The Marshall Women’s Health & Education Center was made possible by a gift from the Marshall Family Foundation to the Norton Healthcare Foundation. It is on the first floor of Norton Suburban Medical Plaza III. No appointment is necessary and services are free. For more information, call (502) 629-1234.