The Problem:

Although healthcare is often touted as “Patient-Centric” (see definition at: HW4.life/pc),  in practice, this means that the patient is the “object of a system” designed for maximum efficiency and often reduced to a “one size fits all” approach.

Parents of children diagnosed with cancer share a common goal: finding the best doctor, hospital, and treatment to save their child.

We are not just “data points”, we are individuals who want answers to our questions and to actively participate in decisions that will affect our children’s lives.

The Project Long Term Objectives:

Our goal is to create a truly “Patient-Centered Healthcare System,” where patients, those who opt for it, and their trusted caregivers can actively engage in the decision-making process. This begins by empowering them to ask questions and receive meaningful, personalized answers.

We believe this approach will:

1. Help patients and their caregivers to navigate more effectively the healthcare system and better leverage medical research and technology,
   
2. Help healthcare providers to deliver better care, leading to more positive outcomes,
3. Reduce overall healthcare costs by ensuring treatments are better tailored to individual needs.

The Project Short-Term Objectives:

1. Validate the concept: Demonstrate that a truly patient-centered approach is both feasible and effective.
2. Engage Healthcare Providers: Find ways to motivate doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to embrace this model.
3. Plan for broader implementation: Define and prepare the next steps for scaling up this approach.

What we need to achieve these Short-Term Objectives?

1. Assemble a group of Advisors: Experts and advocates to guide and support the project.
2. Execute “Proof of Concept” projects, like the “Healing Warriors” project in partnership with the AZ Trauma Institute and the initial support of parents who have successfully navigated the system to improve outcomes for their children.
3. Identify effective tools and services:
4. 1. Develop education/certification programs for “Patients Advocates” with AZ Trauma Institute,
   2. Test Volunteer Support Groups to provide community-based support,
   3. Provide digital tools to help parents and other “Patient Advocates” research available data to discuss doctors, hospitals, treatments with their healthcare providers.