The first question I get when I tell people the company name is “What is Erb’s Point?”  The answer is just as confusing as healthcare is to patients.  Erb’s Point can mean different things to different people in healthcare.  Even Wikipedia has concerns about the various ways to reference Erb’s Point.  In Cardiology the “Erb’s Point” is an anatomical location that we use our stethoscopes to listen to the heart.  In Neurology it is a landmark that identifies where certain nerves are located.  Are you nice and confused yet?!

Healthcare is frequently like this.  We use words that can be misunderstood.  We rush patient’s through the process with very little time for education or clearing things up.  Often the patient encounter is at a time when they are not at their sharpest mentally (sick, stressed, out of their comfort zone).  The end result is the patient doesn’t really understand what is going on and feels forced to just “hope for the best.”   Many times there is anxiety about their health and lack of understanding.

This is where we come in.  Erb’s Point was born out of my desire to empower patients to make the best possible decision regarding their health.  It is my belief that a properly educated and motivated patient can affect their quantity and quality of life more than any pill or procedure that modern medicine can offer.  Certainly the latest tools and medications are a part of the solution, but providing patients the knowledge to effectively participate in their own care can decrease anxiety and confusion while leading to higher levels of “buy-in” by the patient to promote wellness and avoid recurrent health issues.

Unfortunately the current healthcare payment system does not encourage or incentivize  providers to take the time to answer all the questions a patient might have.  Too often the patient leaves the visit feeling equally unsatisfied and wishing there was more time to do more.  I hope that Erb’s Point can be my place to do more.  It is my wish that the educational material provided gives patients the peace of mind to make difficult decisions and reduce the worry that so frequently comes up with healthcare interactions.

— C.J. Wilson, RN, FNP-C