Principles of Health Navigation: Understanding Roles and Career Options

The need for individuals with the skills to help patients obtain and maximally benefit from community services, clinical care, and health insurance has become critical in the increasingly complex and expensive U.S. health system. Those with health navigator training may assist individuals with limited health literacy as well as the elderly with accessing community services. They may facilitate access to care and follow-up for sick and complicated patients with cancer, HIV, and a range of other complex problems. In addition these individuals can assist with identifying and enrolling patients in health insurance plans including those available through the ACA Exchanges as well as Medicaid, Medicare, and Community Health Centers. Principles of Health Navigation: Understanding Roles and Career Options is the first book in the Jones & Bartlett Learning Health Navigation series (www.healthnavigationseries.com) --an original series designed to prepare students for this exciting new career path. Principles of Health Navigation is an introductory text that incorporates the recommendations of the Community Colleges and Public Health project, an initiative of the ASPPH "Framing the Future" Task Force . Divided into two sections, the text first explores the basics of health services delivery and health insurance, and then through guides the student through the fundamentals of care of the individual patient. Key Features: Introduces the concept of prevention through the life-cycle, the different roles and types of health care providers as well as various health care institutions Examines health insurance including its history, international comparison to U.S. system, types, terminology, access to care, administrative regulations, social justice, and use of health insurance Looks at essential health care services such as preventive and wellness services, behavioral health treatment, palliative care, hospice, and more Discusses quality and safety of healthcare (HIPAA, JACHO, privacy and confidentiality, etc.) Surveys the role of public health institutions in healthcare delivery (licensure, regulation, communicable disease control, disaster planning and management, environmental protection, worker's compensation, and Family Medical Leave Act) Explores topics related to the care of the individual including patient assessment, communication, diseases and treatments, quality of life, end of life care, and patient rights, responsibilities, and resources