Health Maps at Tutu's House

We all need to create our own map/plan to achieve good health - whether it's physical, mental, social, emotional, or spiritual.

Health Gateway is a new program designed to assist people of all ages in the research of health-related information.

The Health Gateway Program advocates using the internet as one more effective way to research information.

In the Health Gateway Program, knowledge becomes the key that unlocks our power of choice, and lets us take control of our health and our lives.

Just curious about the internet... An individual is interested in learning more about computers and the internet. They think that it's a good idea to learn about computers and the internet now, so when the need arises, they will understand how. Their teacher told them the Health Gateway program at Tutu's House offers hands-on internet introductions, e-mail instruction, and other computer program lessons for no charge. In fact, Tutu's House has computers specifically for individuals interested in doing internet research and computer research. So the individual calls Tutu's House to schedule a one-on-one, hands-on internet introduction. When the individual arrives for the appointment, he is warmly greeted and given a brief tour of the facility. The individual has fun learning about the internet and he is amazed with the variety of information found. He leaves Tutu's House with a handful and a head full of information with which he uses to direct his health and well-being. He realizes the importance of the valuable resources, including books, videos, programs, and computer access at Tutu's House; and he is confident knowing he can return for further assistance from the Tutu's House staff.

What did the doctor say... After leaving a physician's/healer's office, a patient discovers he has concerns and questions. he is not sure where to to go or with whom to talk to ease the concerns and answer the questions. Then he remembers that a friend told him about the Health Gateway program at Tutu's House, where "the people there help you understand what the doctor says, so you can figure out what to do." They make an appointment at Tutu's House to learn about what they discussed in the doctor's office. The environment is warm, inviting, quiet, private, and safe. At their own pace, they are able to access a wealth of information, via books, videos, and computer. They leave feeling empowered to direct their own wellness and/or treatments. They return to their physician/healer to discuss what they have learned to discuss the directions with which to go. The physician/healer may suggest they return to Tutu's House for further research, however the patient always returns to the physician/healer to discuss what they have learned.

Patient referred by their physician/healer... A patient visits their physician to learn more about a certain treatment and/or condition. Their physician gives them a thorough explanation but the patient desires to further research the subject. The physician hands them a Health Gateway referral form and recommends they make a visit to the Health Gateway program at Tutu's House. On the form is the patients' name and pertinent information, the subject the patient desires to research, and instruction to "walk-in or call for an appointment". On the back of the form is a map with which to locate Tutu's House. The patient immediately goes to Tutu's House to learn more about the Health Gateway program and the research process. The environment is warm, inviting, quiet, private and safe. At their own pace or with assistance, they are able to access a wealth of information, via books, videos, and computer. They are amazed with the amount and type of information they are able to find. They return to their physician to discuss what they have researched.

Healthcare workers interested in research... A physician/healer in the community needs convenient, fast access to much more information - about treatment, about drugs, about cultural traditions and beliefs of her patients, and about the possible efficacy of "complimentary" treatments. One day, she goes to a Health Gateway presentation at Tutu's House. She is warmly greeted and given a brief tour of the facility and a list of services. During her orientation, she comes to appreciate the high-touch sensitivity of the staff. She begins to see the enormous value of the educational titles on the computer, it's multi-computer internet access, its training value - and ways she can have her own patients come down for additional information. The staff states to the physician/healer the program's desire to work with providers, and to be of all possible assistance to them. The physician/healer goes back to work feeling like she has a new ally in today's healthcare world.