Beyond the Chart Episode 2: The Variable is the Patient

In Episode 2 of The Exam Room: Beyond the Chart, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and patient advocate Christina Owen explore how a patient's home environment, health literacy, medications, finances, and support system can dramatically affect their ability to manage their health. Christina shares what she's learned from visiting patients in their homes, including why someone who appears perfectly healthy in the doctor's office may be facing significant challenges behind the scenes. The conversation also explores polypharmacy and medication management in older adults, the importance of meeting patients where they are, and why providers should make advance care planning a routine conversation. At the heart of it all is a simple reminder: you can't treat everyone from the same playbook, because the variable is the patient. Christina Michelle Owen is a certified hospice and palliative nurse and the founder of Eleventh Hour Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. With nearly three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, she has a diverse range of experience from prehospital services through hospice care. Her expertise lies in assisting individuals with chronic and terminal illnesses, enabling them to live well, age well, and ultimately die well. She is deeply committed to understanding the unique needs of each individual and providing holistic wellness education, support, and advocacy to help them achieve their goals. Https://houreleven.org