Are you 100% confident in your ability to navigate the medical system on behalf of your loved one?
Is the healthcare team supplying you with enough information to make decisions as a caregiver?
Do you feel certain that the healthcare team understands what matters most to you and your loved one beyond just treating their disease?
No? You aren’t alone!
You Shouldn’t Have to Navigate This Journey Alone
Caring for a loved one with a serious illness like cancer or dementia can feel like being dropped into a foreign country without a guide. Confusing medical terms. Overwhelming treatment decisions. You don’t know what’s normal or what you should be asking.
And sometimes it seems like the healthcare system itself is working against you rather than for you.
Caregiver Coaching: Your Guide Through the Medical Maze
As a hospice and palliative care physician, I know how hard it is for you to be an advocate inside our complex healthcare system.
I also know that our healthcare system does not adequately prepare you for the entire journey that follows after you are handed a terminal diagnosis.
That’s why I created this personalized coaching program specifically for caregivers like you.
As your coach, my aim is to help you:
- Translate the medical jargon into plain language you can understand and act on
- Prepare for important appointments with the right questions to ask your doctor
- Advocate confidently for your loved one’s pain management and comfort needs
- Navigate difficult conversations about treatment goals, quality of life, and end of life
- Build effective partnerships with your healthcare team that will prioritize your loved one’s wishes
How It Works
During your coaching session, we will explore practical tools and communication strategies tailored to your specific situation. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or nearing the end, I’ll help you feel confident that your next step is the right one for you.
You don’t need to become a medical expert overnight. But it might help to get some guidance from someone who already is—someone who can guide you in “training” your doctors to see beyond the disease to the person and family experiencing it.
Because the truth is: You know your loved one best. And with the right guidance, you can ensure their voice is heard when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is caregiver coaching?
Caregiver coaching provides education, guidance, and support to help you navigate the healthcare system more effectively. I share communication strategies, help you prepare for medical appointments, and provide context for understanding medical situations—all based on my expertise as a palliative care physician.
Is this the same as getting medical advice?
No. Caregiver coaching is not medical advice or treatment. I do not provide formal medical consultations, establish a physician-patient relationship, or make specific treatment recommendations for your loved one. All medical decisions should be discussed with and approved by your loved one’s established healthcare team before taking any action.
Will you become my loved one’s doctor?
No. Our coaching relationship does not establish a physician-patient relationship between myself and your loved one. I serve solely as an educator and coach to help you better understand the healthcare system and communicate more effectively with your existing medical team.
Do you accept insurance for coaching services?
No. Caregiver coaching services are paid out-of-pocket and are not billable to health insurance. These services are educational in nature rather than clinical medical services.
Will you prescribe medications for my loved one?
No. I do not prescribe medications or provide any clinical treatment through the coaching program. Any medication needs should be addressed with your loved one’s treating physicians.
How is this different from a second opinion?
A second opinion is a formal medical consultation where a physician reviews medical records and provides clinical recommendations. Coaching is educational—I help you understand the healthcare landscape, prepare questions for your doctors, and develop communication strategies, but I do not review medical records to provide alternative treatment plans.
What if I need medical assistance during our coaching relationship?
For any medical emergencies or urgent medical needs, always contact your established healthcare team or go to the nearest emergency room. Our coaching sessions are not a substitute for proper medical care.
What information do you need from me?
While I may ask about your general situation to provide relevant coaching, I do not need or request detailed medical records. Our focus is on helping you develop skills and strategies as a caregiver, not reviewing clinical information.
Rates
Initial Needs Assessment
- 75 minutes
- $300
Follow-up Sessions
- $250/hour
If you are interested in booking multiple sessions up front, contact us at info@howtotrainyourdoctor.com to put together a bundle package at a discounted rate.