Health care can be complicated, especially for individuals with chronic conditions or complex medication regimens. Nurse practitioners (NPs) like Jamela Love can make all the difference when health plan members need help taking charge of their health.
Before joining Signify Health’s clinician network, Jamela worked in the hospital setting for more
than 10 years. She believes this experience provided her with the knowledge and skills she now uses when completing In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs).
“At the bedside, I used my skills to assess patients and develop treatment plans. I also learned how to provide the education and resources patients and caregivers need to improve their quality of life,” she said.
Although she learned a great deal in the hospital, she found her calling in the opportunity to visit people in their homes. That’s what brought her to Signify Health in 2019.
“Our biggest opportunity is to help members in their homes. During the visit, we can identify any gaps in care or risks in the home environment.
Jamela sees some consistent issues while completing IHEs. First, she often finds members face medication issues, including a lack of understanding regarding when and how to take them.
For example, she recently saw a member who was taking two separate cancer-related drugs. She didn’t have a good understanding of when to take the medications. As a result, she was taking one drug too often.
Another prevalent issue is access to healthy foods, particularly for members who reside in food deserts. She advises members on how to make the best food choices, even when fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to come by. For example, simply rinsing canned vegetables can help to reduce sodium levels.
Beyond the steps involved in completing the IHE, Jamela believes the most important step may be the simplest: making time to truly listen.
“Sometimes, it’s a challenge to get to every appointment on time. But it’s really important to take the time to listen to the members and hear their concerns. For some health plan members, the opportunity to have human interaction is so limited, and they truly appreciate a chance to be heard,” she said.
Jamela lives in St. Louis, MO. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to new places.