Health Navigation

 Introduction:

Health Navigation is a thorough training program that teaches people how to navigate the complicated healthcare system. This course addresses healthcare access, patient advocacy, and health literacy. Participants will learn about healthcare services, insurance coverage, and how to help people get treatment. The program covers cultural competence, communication, and healthcare navigation ethics. Practical scenarios and case studies help learners understand patient difficulties and how to give effective assistance. After the course, participants will have the knowledge and resources to make educated health choices and confidently navigate the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals, social workers, and community activists who want to increase access to care and health equality must take Health Navigation.

Degrees of health navigation competencies

There are three degrees of health navigation competencies: necessary, enhanced, and expert. At each level, general statements of what people should be able to accomplish and know are provided. Each level builds on and combines prior skills and knowledge.

What are red flags?

Red flags are symptoms that may signify significant medical issues that might lead to irreparable impairment or death if not appropriately addressed.

Recognising Red Flags

Red flags signal ‘something is going to happen’.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke", commonly precedes strokes. These instances cause neurologic symptoms such weakness, trouble speaking, fuzzy vision, and disorientation that resolve spontaneously. People have gone to bed or took a nap to "sleep it off" after having TIA symptoms, often waking up with irreversible neurologic damage. 

Some Red Flag Symptoms

This list is not thorough and should not replace a doctor's examination; it is designed to highlight crucial symptoms that shouldn't be overlooked. 

Chest Pain:

Chest pain symptoms include discomfort similar to squeezing, pressure, or heaviness, difficulty breathing, changes in pain pattern or frequency, worsening with exertion and improving with rest, passing out or light-headedness, shortness of breath in swollen or painful legs, and heart fluttering or rapid beating.

Shortness of breath:

• Lying flat or exercising makes breathing harder. 

• Rapid breathing or problems speaking. 

• Sudden shortness of breath, like an asthma attack. Fever-related breathlessness.

 • Bloody cough. Swollen or aching legs make breathing difficult.

Significant lightheadedness or unconsciousness:

• Passing out with chest pain, palpitations, belly pain, shortness of breath, or headache

 • Passing out with stroke or TIA symptoms 

• Passing out without notification

 • Passing out when exercising.

Stroke/TIA symptoms:

Even temporary or improving symptoms are concerning:
Weakness, numbness, or inability to move

 • Vision alterations (double vision, hazy vision, loss of eyesight) 

• Speech issues Head injury or stroke 

• Confusion , Dizziness, unsteadiness, or trouble walking

 • Fits

Digestive and abdominal symptoms:

Bloody stools, stomach pain, new constipation, coffee-ground vomit, strong alcohol use, and medication difficulties are diarrhea symptoms.

Abdominal pain symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, worsening after meals, chronic ibuprofen or aspirin use, rapid onset, persistent discomfort, or severe alcohol consumption.

Visual changes:

Visual changes include double vision, fuzzy vision, or momentary loss of vision, as well as a history of glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or atrial fibrillation. Vision changes may also occur with substantial eye, headache, scalp, or jaw.

Severe Headache:

• Sudden onset ("thunderclap").

• Described as "worst headache of your life".

• Linked to confusion, fever, stiff neck, vomiting, seizure, weakness, numbness, vision changes, or chewing pain.

• Recent trauma or fall.