Why Skyler Health Calls its Patients “Members”
Words are more powerful than we often acknowledge. At Skyler Health we’ve made a conscious choice to refer to “members” instead of “patients” — a choice grounded in our core values.
The relationship between a doctor and patient can be considered transactional. A patient visits a doctor, receives a prescription or another course of treatment, and goes on their way until the next appointment. Membership feels and hits differently on many levels. The word implies shared community, equal hierarchy, and belonging. It’s a more continuous and dynamic relationship.
Our mission at Skyler Health is to empower individuals to live better, healthier lives while helping them with medication dependence and chronic pain. We respect and appreciate each individual as a complete and complex human. We see them as individuals living with the unanticipated challenges of taking prescribed medication. We strive to build a long-term, collaborative relationship with each person, designing a plan that recognizes the individual’s unique needs and circumstances. More importantly, the individual is always in charge of the therapeutic plan.
“At Skyler Health, we consider each individual as a whole person dealing with unique challenges, working towards a healthier life–not just a patient stopping in for a visit,” says Ahmed Zaafran, MD.
Skyler Health members may be treated by licensed medical providers, depending on their needs, but they also experience a comprehensive approach to managing specific challenges that goes well beyond the typical doctor-patient relationship. That’s why, rather than thinking of individuals as patients or even clients, we consider them as members on a journey with Skyler Health toward a full, healthy life.
Skyler Health creates an individual journey for each member.
While many people deal with chronic pain, medication dependence, and mental health difficulties, every person is unique. The best course of intervention responds to individual needs.
“We offer a personalized journey designed specifically for that individual to help lead to better outcomes and a more fulfilling, empowered life,” Zaafran says.
At Skyler Health, that journey may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication titration counseling, pain, trauma and mental health counseling. Maintaining a close, ongoing connection to its members is an essential part of Skyler Health’s comprehensive approach to treatment.
“What distinguishes Skyler Health from a typical virtual practice, or even brick-and-mortar providers, is the digital health components of membership,” Zaafran explains. “Members receive not just clinical care, but predictive analytics, real-time health signals, and therapeutic and mindfulness interventions. Together with the member, we set goals focused on that member’s unique situation. And together, we celebrate progress against those goals.”
Members become part of the Skyler Health community.
Membership to Skyler Health connects individuals with a variety of clinical specialists.
“When a person comes to Skyler Health,” Zaafran continues, “they become part of a community with access to services and resources offered by providers and their peers.”
Group therapy sessions can be an integral part of addiction management, helping members feel less alone by connecting them with peers facing similar challenges. A recent review of studies on group-supported treatment found that group therapy in conjunction with Medication Assisted Treatment is significantly more effective than MAT alone.
Members are also connected to Skyler Health’s providers and licensed counselors, available daily, who work together to support each person’s individual and evolving needs.
Skyler Health provides resources to support members in their daily lives.
Outside of check-ins with providers and individual and group therapy sessions, Skyler Health’s digital resources are also available for members at any time. For example, educational materials are available to each member to help them understand the challenges they’re facing.
Members also have access to mindfulness resources, such as guided meditations they can listen to on their own timetable. Mindfulness meditation has proven to attenuate pain significantly and can be an integral part of members’ individualized treatment.
Treating chronic pain or managing medication tapers requires going beyond simple doctor-patient visits. Skyler Health offers individualized treatment plans that aim to treat the whole person, integrate emerging technologies with clinical best practices, and welcome members into a supportive community.
Visit us at Skyler Health to learn more about how we empower members and physicians to prevent and stop medication and substance dependence with professional, licensed, and vetted counselors they can trust.
