LaShannon Spencer, a healthcare advocate who has served as an administrator, strategist, researcher, visionary for 15 years plus. She is passionate about topics focused on social determinants, cultural competency, community benefits and care delivery for vulnerable populations. Many healthcare organizations face many challenges in how to increase patient satisfaction while maintain good medical care and business success. Educating healthcare leaders, clinicians, patients and community partners about ways to improve healthcare services for vulnerable populations is key factor to help create solutions to eliminate health inequities. Additionally, she enjoys speaking with patients about access to quality healthcare services as well as transforming healthy communities. Additionally, she helps patients understand the importance about advocating for themselves.
Access to quality healthcare services should be a right and not a privilege. In the United States, health care should be distributed fairly and equitably. When people think about health disparities they often think about health insurance, access to medical care, minority risk factors, social economic status, influences of race/ethnicities, and quality care. Unequal distribution of health care resources results in morbidity and mortality rates that vary substantially among racial and ethnic categories and economic classes. Health care, as a resource, must be distributed fairly and equitably, yet vulnerable populations are exposed to more adverse events compared to other races within a health care setting.
Besides cultural misconceptions, other problems may include lack of policies and procedures, and inaccurate reporting. More often than not, medical errors (e.g., inappropriate treatment and care) can occur because of a provider’s prejudice or stereotypical ideas about minority patients. It’s important for minority patients to understand the significance of being an empowered patient by asking medical providers difficult questions about their health when they do not understand research different medical options and explore all alternatives.
As an advocate, who has worked in the political arena, assisted with drafting legislation, and as a healthcare executive, LaShannon has applied her skills to helping others advocate for quality care services in the complexed healthcare web. Her professional experience has given her the ability to reach many cultures, and ethnicities while addressing language barriers. These skill-sets make LaShannon relatable, relevant and culturally competent advocate.
Her messages are very clear, do your research, and ask questions. Additional recommendations are provided below:
- Make sure you always have a notebook/tablet to write down your questions ahead of time
- Make notes and take notes when you are with your physician and other clinicians.
- Learn how to feel comfortable asking questions, even to the person who is wearing the “white coat”.
LaShannon Spencer has learned that vulnerable populations can be comfortable with the lack of detailed information about their health diagnosis when it is explained by the physician, or do to health literacy they do not understand the words that are being used, or simply okay with the lack of communication their physician has provided. The time has come where you stop accepting “the norm” ask the appropriate questions to ensure you or your loved one receive quality patient care.
Ask most people say, “you asked not and you shall not”….. She invites you to join this journey and start speaking up and asking questions.