Time is often scarce for Nurse Practitioners, who are constantly juggling patient care with administrative demands. Most NPs see 3 or more patients per hour1 and often express frustration about short visit lengths. 2
Cristina Chandler, APRN-CNP came to AndHealth for the opportunity to spend more time with patients and to practice whole-person specialty care – a protocol based on supporting patients with medication and lifestyle changes to address their social drivers of health.
Before joining AndHealth, Cristina held positions in critical care and worked as a hospitalist for 10 years. While rewarding, she found it difficult to follow her patients through their journey.
“As I was talking to my patients and learning about their diabetes, or heart disease, or common chronic conditions, I kept telling them that we need to get to the center of what they’re experiencing, but at that time I didn’t really have the ability to help with that. I always wanted to know why they had heart disease, why they had diabetes,” Cristina shared. “I knew they needed sleep, less stress, less inflammation, and we needed to treat their whole body in order to help patients avoid serious health issues through preventative care.”
So, what drew you to AndHealth?
AndHealth takes an integrative approach and really lets us dig deeper with patient care. We have the resources to support our patients’ social drivers of health through things like meal delivery for nutrition changes and wearable health devices for data-driven decision-making – all without pushing the cost back to the patient. I also really appreciate that AndHealth has found a way to expand access so patients who may not have been able to get this type of care now can.
What is it like to practice at AndHealth?
It can be stressful like any healthcare role, but it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. I appreciate working here because I have the space to do what I want to do. I appreciate a culture where they understand my value and let me do what I’m passionate about and what I excel at. They allow me the space to focus in on treating my patients, to get them the care they need, and break through the barriers – not like what it is in traditional healthcare. You never feel like you’re on an island; there’s a lot of integration of specialties to work better and provide the best care for our patients.
Colleagues can make all the difference in any role. Tell us about the people at AndHealth.
The talent here is deep. You think about a sports team and sometimes you may have defense lacking, but the talent here runs through the entire team. It’s really humbling to be able to work with colleagues that are incredibly accomplished and so humble. Dr. Myles Spar helps me succeed and makes me the best at what I do. Everyone is so good at what they do and it all feels effortless.
At AndHealth we often ask our patients for their “why” – a single focus or goal that motivates them on their health journey. What is your “why”? What drives you to do what you do?
The patient-provider relationship is incredibly important to me. I love this relationship and it's part of why I love what I do. I also love that my daughter gets to see me become accomplished and how I can be helpful for people. It’s really important to me that my family understands the role that I have with caring for people.
You developed such a special relationship with Sallie, a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and recently completed a 7k race together. Being able to finish the race was her “why”. Can you describe what it was like to share that moment with her?
To now have the opportunity to see my patients through their whole journey is incredibly rewarding and Sallie and I really walked this path together. We were able to give her resources, confidence, and motivation to help her accomplish her goals. When Sallie has a goal in mind she really works for it, and she allowed me to be a part of it. It’s the best thing in the world. I know how unique it is to have that kind of relationship, it’s truly special.
Want to work at AndHealth? Explore our open positions.
1: https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/np-fact-sheet
2: https://opmed.doximity.com/articles/poll-of-4-500-clinicians-how-much-time-do-you-spend-with-your-patients
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