The Patient Institute

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The Patient Institute

Empowering patients, caregivers, and future physicians through education, support, and compassionate healthcare.

Each of us, at one time or another, will be a patient. At the Patient Institute, we understand the difficulties patients and their caregivers have when navigating San Antonio’s complex, constantly changing healthcare system. Our goal is to empower patients and their caregivers to take charge of their health and to make well-informed medical decisions. We do this through free educational programs, the development of easily accessible navigation tools, research, and leadership initiatives.

08/17/2026

On August 13th, we held The Entrepreneurial Physician Social, where medical students and physicians came together and discussed the strategic, business, and leadership skills needed to successfully open and operate a medical practice!

Special thanks to the Mindful Dermatology Skin Clinic and Dr. Bhandari for allowing us to use their space for the event and helping with logistics!

And lastly, thanks to all who attended and helped set up the event; it is because of you that we can have opportunities like this! If you are interested in joining, contact us at [email protected] with any questions!

08/13/2026

💼 An aspect of healthcare that is often overlooked is that which goes on in the workplace.

Workplace safety doesn't just involve stopping injuries but also means improving employee well-being, providing safety resources, and implementing plans and policies to minimize the risk of injuries possible when working.

This OSHA Safe and Sound Week, bring up and discuss safety plans and ways to enhance your workplace's safety with your employer! To learn more visit: https://www.osha.gov/safeandsound

08/06/2026

When you need immediate treatment, knowing where to go can save time, money, and potentially lives!

🚑 Go to the emergency room for life-threatening illnesses like heart attacks, strokes, severe injuries, etc.

🏥 Go to urgent care for injuries/illnesses that need quick treatment, but aren't severe, like cuts, sprains, vomiting, etc.

The Patient Institute has put together both a rundown of both optitheand an in-depth written guide to aid in the decision-making process, helping make the correct choice in critical moments. (Written guide: https://patientinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/emergency-room-vs-urgent-care.pdf)

Save and share this post with others; you never know when you might need it!

07/30/2026

🩺Going in for an appointment with the physician but don't know what to bring in?

1. Distinguish the type of visit (i.e., emergency or nonemergency), and if the former, then proceed to call 911 instead.

2. If the reason for visiting is a regular checkup,p then a good rule of thumb is to bring in/record information that might be medically relevant to the visit, which includes, but is not limited to, medications, previous health conditions, surgeries, other physicians, symptoms, etc.

3. Lastly, questions are crucial for understanding what a physician is asking of you, so don't feel shy about asking the doctor to repeat themselves or explain something more thoroughly!

To view our full guide about visiting a physician, visit:https://patientinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/preparing-for-your-doctors-appointment.pdf

07/23/2026

🏥 Hospitalization can be an intimidating process for any caregiver or patient, and not having proper knowledge of the process can lead to frustration and a lack of proper care.

To prepare yourself or a loved one for an upcoming hospitalization, check out our Hospitool, a guide aimed at patients and caregivers that informs them of the process and what questions to ask the hospital staff.

📌 Some key points from the guide:
1. Know the role loved ones play as patient advocates and in patient well-being.

2. Set up advance directives with legal documentation if a need arises.

3. Ask about a procedure or condition from the staff; they are there to help you on this difficult journey!

To view the full guide in PDF form, visit https://canva.link/pihospitool.

We know that hospitalization is an involved and potentially intimidating process, but informing oneself before going can be a powerful way to reduce fear and get the best possible care.

07/16/2026

One of healthcare's biggest challenges is navigating the complicated system for our elderly folk. When it comes to their care, there are a multitude of decisions and factors to consider when deciding how to move forward.

To help address this difficult challenge, The Patient Institute has created a document with tips, questions, and plans to ensure that our elderly are well cared for.

Although specifics vary, the two major pieces of advice are to plan and to ask questions of their healthcare provider. By planning and discussing with their healthcare team, in case any major life-changing event occurs, everyone will be better prepared to handle it instead of scrambling. This can include living situation, pursuing treatment, end-of-life wishes, etc.

Although healthcare for our senior folk is a difficult topic to discuss, it's best to plan and prepare beforehand so that they receive the best treatment possible.

If you have any other questions or important tips to add, don't hesitate to add them in the comments!

07/10/2026

Need help finding a primary care physician or a place to have a procedure?

Medical search tools can be useful, allowing you to input your care preferences, with the computer doing the hard work of finding and comparing physicians/hospitals for you.

Here are some (but certainly not all) tools that you can use:
1. ChargeFacts:
(https://chargefacts.com) – Compare estimated procedure costs based on insurance provider, coinsurance, location, etc. (disclaimer: currently early in development, work-in-progress)

2. Find Your Doctor Database: (https://ssl.texmed.org/wa40/TexasMedicalAssociation/Tma.FindAPhysician.Bcms/SearchQuery.aspx) – Find a new P*P based on insurance, language, and location

If you have any other useful medical search tools, please feel free to mention them in the comments!

(FYI, this is a non-sponsored post; all websites are simply recommendations, and thanks to Salvao Direct Care for the photo!)

07/01/2026

☀️July marks the beginning of UV Awareness Month, especially important in these hot times!

UV light is emitted primarily by the sun and tanning beds, with prolonged exposure potentially leading to melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

Fun fact: Melanoma can happen to anybody regardless of skin color or race, so all of us must be careful in these hot times! Remember ABCDE: A = asymmetrical mole, B = irregular/sharp border, C = uneven color, D = diameter larger than a pea, and E = evolving with time!

To remain safe during the summer, follow these crucial tips:

1. Wear Protection: Whenever going outside, ensure that the body is fully covered in breathable clothing along with a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Also, try to stay in the shade as much as possible!

2. Timing: If possible, try to plan events/going out for mornings, late afternoons, and evenings, as the heat is usually less at those times.

3. Hydration: Always keep water and/or electrolytes handy with you when outside for long periods of time, as dehydration can occur easily.

Remain safe throughout July and the rest of summer with these tips!

(Credit to the CDC for these great infographics!)

06/27/2026

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day, and here are a few things you should know:

1. HIV ≠ AIDS: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

2. There is no well-established cure for HIV, but if caught early, it can be managed and ensure a long, healthy life for oneself and partners.

3. The main modes of transmission are sharing of needles and sexual contact, not merely through being in the same space with someone who has HIV.

For those in San Antonio, the City of San Antonio - Municipal Government is holding mobile clinics throughout the summer at no cost for those who want to get tested. To find out more information, visit: https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SAMHD/News-Events/Events/STI-Mobile-Clinics.

Take control of your health and keep your loved ones safe!

06/19/2026

🩸June 19th is World Sickle Cell Day, dedicated to raising awareness of sickle cell disease.

What is sickle cell disease? Sickle cell disease is a change in blood cells from relatively soft, disc-shaped cells to hard, sickle-shaped cells, leading to complications.

What are the symptoms of sickle cell disease? The most frequent symptoms include anemia (i.e., low red blood cell count), pain, fatigue, etc.

Interested in learning more about sickle cell disease and/or spreading awareness? You can visit https://sicklecelldisease.org to learn more and become involved in spreading awareness!

Credit to the CDC for the amazing infographic!

Address

PO Box 781971
San Antonio, TX
78278

Telephone

+12108621678

Website

http://www.patientinstitute.org/donate/

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