"Where will you be when the music stops?"
[45-minute keynote presentation] Very soon, more than one in every five Iowans will be a senior, while Iowa’s youth and working age populations continue to shrink. A perfect storm of health care access is quickly approaching: the demographics of aging and chronic conditions, dwindling resources and systemic failures to prep. What’s more, this workforce crisis in health care is the leading indicator of a labor meltdown that threatens Iowa's entire economic viability, as well as patients' and providers' well-being.
Jo Kline shares the startling data and policy failings behind these life-limiting challenges and, as importantly, straightforward strategies for overcoming barriers to access and best health outcomes. Whether a health care consumer, caregiver for a loved one, business owner or a community leader, awareness of Iowa’s demographic challenges is the first step in preparing for this perfect storm of health care access. And, by the way, it is no longer approaching. It is here.
Bridges to Health Care Access
Jo Kline has now incorporated her unique expertise in demographics, the health care workforce and health literacy into an innovative initiative, through Bridges to Health Care Access, Jo raises awareness of the threats to health care access and the crucial strategies that benefit both individuals and their "communities," whether a small town, a faith-based organization, a retirement village, a neighborhood, an advocacy group, a business or an extended family.
Learn about the Bridges to Health Care Access initiative through one or more of Jo's info-packed presentations:
I. “Battling for health care access: Where will you be when the music stops?” [45-minute Introductory Presentation]
If your organization or community gathering seeks a thought-provoking and informative program, look no further than Jo's introductory presentation. Jo shares the facts of aging demographics, dwindling human and financial resources and leadership's failures to acknowledge this crisis. With straightforward examples of how individuals and their “communities” can work to access health care and achieve best health outcomes, Jo introduces the key elements of her innovative initiative, Bridges to Health Care Access,
II. “Overcoming the Five Big Obstacles to health care access” [This two-hour PowerPoint program follows the Introductory Presentation]
It's time to prep for the approaching perfect storm of health care. Being health literate isn’t as complicated as you might think. Whether an employer hoping to maximize health care benefits, a patient trying to manage chronic illness or a direct care provider suffering from burnout, self-advocacy starts with simple strategies. Discover Jo's empowering action steps to: 1) avoid being “invisible,” 2) befriend health care technology, 3) recognize the threat of medical errors, 4) properly manage medications and 5) practice effective care management.
III. “It takes a 'community' to build Bridges to Health Care Access” [This two-hour PowerPoint program follows Presentations I and II]
Even when you're an engaged and empowered health care consumer, there are still times when it takes teamwork to reach your wellness goals. Once you're familiar with the straightforward steps you can take as an individual to access health care and achieve best health outcomes, it's time for your "community" to join the initiative. Having a sense of belonging improves health outcomes and overall wellbeing, and any “community” with the right strategies and determination can facilitate health care access and help members achieve best health outcomes. Bridges to Health Care Access integrates self advocacy with the support and resources of existing microsystems. Jo’s customizable program is a win-win proposition for every health care partner: consumers, providers, insurers, employers and bureaucracies.Click here to preview the basics of Bridges, then contact Jo at JoKline@msn.com to discuss details and whether one or more of her presentations would be a good fit for your organization or community gathering.
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Jo Kline is an attorney, a thought leader on health care access and founder of the Iowa Institute for Health Literacy. She began researching, writing and speaking about health care advocacy and patient safety 25 years ago while serving as volunteer chair of Iowa’s largest hospice. Jo is a frequent contributor to print and online media, including her Des Moines Register 12-part series, “Health Literacy 101.” Her two most recent books, PATIENT OR PAWN? Epic fails in health care, the approaching perfect storm and strategies for self-preservation and The 60-Minute Guide to Health Literacy are reader-friendly and data-rich guides to patient advocacy and empowerment.