|
Lila- Left (PAL Volunteer)
Liz, GP Patient in NC
|
The Patient Awareness Liaison Program is a referral program run through
G-PACT
that pairs volunteers with Gastroparesis sufferers who have questions
about this illness, or who may need information for handling an
insurance denial. This is an excellent way to offer support and answer
questions for Gastroparesis sufferers and family because it offers a
personalized and precise support for those who use the service.
PAL
Program volunteers operate on a scheduled monthly rotation, typically
with one-two months of inactivity between each rotation unless
circumstances require otherwise. Volunteers may need to alter their
rotations in the case of emergencies, illness, vacations, and various
other reasons.
If
you are in need of individualized assistance or support, you will find
information on each of the active volunteers on the website and in the
monthly e-mail newsletter. The G-PACT website will provide information
on each
one of the active volunteers each month which will list all pertinent
information to aid the caller in determining whom he/she would like to
contact. Due to the rotating schedule, you may not be able to speak with
the same PAL volunteer you have spoken with previously.
PAL Volunteers are able to answer basic questions about various aspects
of gastroparesis, tests, procedures, and treatment options. In addition,
PAL Volunteers are able to provide information on support groups,
motility doctors, requests for printed information on G-PACT, and other
related information, or just offer a listening ear. They may also refer
callers to websites or other resources where more
information may be obtained regarding their particular questions.
However, PAL Volunteers cannot provide medical advice. Medical advice
includes any information directly related to the caller's situation
(i.e. whether a treatment will work, medication doses he/she should
take, etc). They also cannot offer any crisis counseling, but will refer
callers to the appropriate crisis hotline. PAL Volunteers are NOT
counselors, they are simply available to assist people with
Gastroparesis by answering basic questions, offering a listening ear,
referring them to appropriate resources to receive information we cannot
provide, and providing a way to get answers about their questions
quickly and efficiently.
All calls will remain confidential and will not be shared with ANYONE
under any circumstances, except calls of a nature in which we are
required by law to disclose the information to the appropriate crisis
counselor.
All PAL Volunteers will read the following, and the caller must agree
and understand the terms before the call can continue:
“I am here to
answer questions and offer support.
Please understand that I am not allowed to give out medical
advice or answer questions asking for medical advice, I am not a medical
professional. If you have an
immediate concern and feel you need medical attention please go to the
nearest emergency room or call your physician.
Do you understand that I am not allowed to guide you in any
medical decisions or offer medical advice?”
Click here to contact a PAL!
|
