MedPal Pilot Program
MedPal is a free, community-based pilot program offering safe transportation and trained support companions for seniors attending medical appointments.
As a MedPal volunteer, you can directly support seniors attending medical appointments by listening, taking notes, and simply being present.
You don’t have to attend medical appointments alone. MedPal provides free transportation and a companion to support you every step of the way.
The Problem
Access to health care is a challenge for many Nova Scotians. Appointments can be missed due to transportation barriers.
Those who can access their appointments may:
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feel rushed,
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experience stress in understanding medical language,
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be shy to voice their concerns or questions, or
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have difficulty remembering important details.
These factors can affect health outcomes and are intensified for seniors living on low incomes who are aging without nearby family support.
Our Solution
Before the Appointment
A trained volunteer known as a Medical Volunteer Companion (MVC) will meet the patient during an introductory phone call and help prepare a list of questions, symptoms, and medications.
Free transportation will be provided to and from appointments for MVCs and patients within HRM.
During the Appointment
MVCs will take detailed notes, ask clarifying questions as needed, and confirm the notes with the doctor.
After the Appointment
Go for coffee with your MVC – on us, using one of our $10 vouchers! This is an opportunity review the approved notes and reflect on next steps.
Want to participate as a patient?
Interested?
Please send an email to:
Empowerment
Theory
Empowerment is “the process of gaining freedom and power to do what you want or to control what happens to you.”
MedPal considers seniors to be capable participants, who are to remain fully in charge of all decisions.
American psychologist Julian Rappaport viewed people as both “dependents with needs” and “citizens with rights”. We aim to balance the need for transportation and accompaniment with the right to autonomy.
Medical Volunteer Companions will be instructed not to seize control of the medical appointment in an attempt to “advocate” for the patient. Instead, volunteers will be mindful that the senior is to remain in charge as an active participant who retains decision-making authority.
Social Support Theory
Social support reduces the effects of stress and promotes overall wellbeing. MedPal will provide all four support types:
Informational support: will be provided through careful notetaking and the clarification of medical instructions.
Instrumental support: we offer practical assistance such as free transportation to and from appointments.
Emotional support: Medical Volunteers Companions (MVCs) will provide a calm, reassuring presence.
Appraisal support: use one of our $10 vouchers to go to a coffee shop to pause and reflect on the medical appointment.
Health Belief Model
The Health Belief Model is a psychological framework that explains why people do or do not engage in health-related behaviours.
Individuals are more likely to act when perceived benefits of action outweigh perceived barriers.
MedPal aims to increase perceived benefits of taking health action by making appointments feel more manageable, improving understanding of medical information, and increasing confidence that attending appointments is worthwhile.
MedPal aims to reduce perceived barriers such as transportation challenges, fear or anxiety related to appointments, and confusion or information overload.
Community Based Participatory Communication
CBPC is a communication approach that encourages participation and engagement at every stage of any change process. In other words, we want your feedback as you participate! What do you like? What don’t you like? We want to know!
This approach favours two-way communication, which is a circular, open-ended process. We will look for ongoing feedback from both participants and volunteers. The idea is that through continuous dialogue, all parties will have opportunities to contribute to decisions and influence the ongoing refinement of the MedPal Pilot Program.
