Ask The Patient Advocate

Elena Borrelli
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you tired of feeling lost and overwhelmed in the healthcare system? Do you want to regain control of your health journey and make informed decisions with confidence? If so, then this podcast is for you.  I am a Doctor of Medical Science, author, a mother and a Board Certified Patient Advocate who has worked in healthcare for over 25 years. I have been the provider, the patient, the daughter, the sister, and the parent facing the overwhelming healthcare system; and left feeling alone and confused. Navigating your health and managing your healthcare is challenging, but it's a lot better when we go through it together.  Are you ready to take charge of your healthcare journey? It's time to Ask the Patient Advocate! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Who Cares for the Caregiver? The Untold Story of Caregiving With Charlotte Bayala

    3D AGO

    Who Cares for the Caregiver? The Untold Story of Caregiving With Charlotte Bayala

    Who is holding the caregiver together? Who checks in on the person managing the medications, the appointments, the fear — and the family? And when was the last time a caregiver was told they don’t have to earn their rest? When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the spotlight — rightfully — focuses on the patient. But behind nearly every patient is someone quietly carrying the weight of it all. In this heartfelt episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli turns the focus to the often invisible role of the caregiver with special guest Charlotte Bayala — speaker, yoga and meditation teacher, caregiver advocate, and host of The Cancer Caregiver Podcast. Charlotte shares her lived experience caring for her husband through cancer and unpacks what caregiving really looks like behind the scenes. Because caregiving isn’t one role. It’s dozens. Together, Dr. Borrelli and Charlotte explore: • Why caregiver burnout often goes unrecognized — even by the caregiver • The slow creep of exhaustion, irritability, and “normalizing” survival mode • The emotional tension of feeling grateful and resentful at the same time • Why caregivers don’t need permission to rest • How caregiving reshapes identity, partnership, and personal strength • The power of learning to “take up space” in medical settings • A simple breathing tool anyone can use to regulate the nervous system in moments of overwhelm If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395. Connect with Charlotte Bayala: https://www.charlottebayala.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cancercaregiverpodcast https://www.facebook.com/charlottebayalayoga Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min

  2. APR 24

    What Are We Doing About Medical Errors?

    Have you ever wondered how medical errors happen? Have you ever left a healthcare appointment worrying that something might have been missed? Or asked yourself what patients and families can actually do to help prevent mistakes in complex medical situations? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine explore a difficult but essential topic in modern healthcare: medical errors. For many people, trust in the healthcare system feels automatic—until something goes wrong. A missed test result. A medication mix-up. A breakdown in communication between providers. When these situations occur, patients and families are often left with the same painful questions: How did this happen? Could it have been prevented? Healthcare today is incredibly complex. Multiple specialists, medication changes, electronic records, and busy clinical environments create countless moving parts.  In this important conversation, Dr. Borrelli explains: • What medical errors are—and why they sometimes happen • Why even strong healthcare safety systems cannot eliminate every risk • The emotional impact medical errors can have on patients and families • The powerful role patients play in improving safety through awareness and communication • How asking questions and confirming information can help prevent misunderstandings If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Take control of your healthcare journey with confidence. ✨ Enroll today in our Patient Advocacy Course and learn how to speak up, stay organized, and make informed decisions about your care or your loved one’s. 👉 Visit https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ to get started. Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 min
  3. Terminal at 23: How Advocacy Changed the Outcome of Brandi Benson

    APR 17

    Terminal at 23: How Advocacy Changed the Outcome of Brandi Benson

    What would you do if you were told you had eight to twelve months to live? How would you respond if the statistics said you probably wouldn’t survive? And what if your greatest battle began while you were already serving your country in a war zone? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Brandy L. Benson — Army veteran, Ewing sarcoma survivor, author, Department of Defense research contributor, and fierce patient advocate — to share a story that redefines resilience. At just 23 years old, while deployed in Iraq, Brandy discovered a lump in her leg. Within weeks, she was facing a diagnosis of terminal Ewing sarcoma — a rare and aggressive cancer — and given a 15% chance of survival. Today, more than 17 years later, she is in full remission. But this episode isn’t just about surviving cancer. It’s about challenging statistics. Rewriting narratives. And discovering the power of advocacy — especially when navigating complex systems like military and VA healthcare. Brandy shares: • What it felt like to receive a terminal diagnosis while deployed • The emotional weight of preparing for death at 24 • How her mother became her fiercest advocate when she couldn’t advocate for herself • Why rare cancers require second (and third) opinions • The hidden realities of survivorship — trauma, identity shifts, and financial toxicity • Why quality of life must be part of every treatment conversation • How she now contributes to sarcoma research review for the Department of Defense • The mindset shift that helped her respond better to treatment If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Connect with Brandi Benson:         https://brandilbenson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/resumeadvantage https://www.facebook.com/brandi.benson.92 https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandilbenson/ https://www.youtube.com/@brandil.benson6432/featured Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min

  4. APR 10

    Why Telehealth Is Your Friend

    Have you ever delayed seeing a doctor because getting to an appointment felt like too much? Have you ever wished you could ask your provider a quick question without taking time off work or sitting in a waiting room? Or wondered if telehealth could actually make healthcare easier — not harder? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine explore a powerful tool that has quietly reshaped how patients access care: telehealth. Dr. Borrelli, whose research and clinical work have long focused on telemedicine and telehealth, explains why she often calls telehealth “your friend” in healthcare. Together, they break down: • The difference between telehealth and telemedicine • How telehealth reduces common barriers like transportation, time off work, and long wait times • Why quick virtual check-ins can prevent small health issues from becoming major problems • How telehealth improves access for patients with mobility challenges, chronic illness, or caregiving responsibilities • Why patients often feel more comfortable advocating for themselves from home • How private patient advocates can join virtual appointments and support patients in real time If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Take control of your healthcare journey with confidence. ✨ Enroll today in our Patient Advocacy Course and learn how to speak up, stay organized, and make informed decisions about your care or your loved one’s. 👉 Visit https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ to get started. Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  5. Rare, Not Alone: Building Hope for Rare Disease Patients with Ben Munoz

    APR 3

    Rare, Not Alone: Building Hope for Rare Disease Patients with Ben Munoz

    What would you do if a sudden medical emergency changed your life overnight? If you survived… but walked out of the hospital feeling completely alone? Where do you turn when your diagnosis is rare — and no one around you understands it? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Ben Munoz — stroke survivor, entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder of Ben’s Friends, one of the largest online networks of patient support communities for rare diseases. Ben’s journey began in 2006 with a sudden, life-threatening AVM-related brain hemorrhage at just 29 years old. What started as nausea and a headache turned into emergency brain surgery within minutes. He survived — but like so many patients with rare conditions — he left the hospital with more questions than answers. No roadmap. No community. No clear “what’s next.” So he built one. Drawing on his background in software and entrepreneurship, Ben created an online community for AVM survivors. What began with a handful of members quickly grew into thousands. Today, Ben’s Friends supports dozens of rare disease communities and has helped countless patients feel seen, informed, and less alone. In this episode, we explore: • What it feels like to survive a rare medical crisis • The emotional isolation that often follows hospital discharge • Why peer support can be just as powerful as medical treatment • The evolving role of AI and democratized medical information • How patients can responsibly fact-check and advocate for themselves • Why asking questions in healthcare is no longer optional — it’s essential If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395. Connect with Ben Munoz: https://www.bensfriends.org/ https://www.instagram.com/bensfriendsorg/ https://www.facebook.com/bensfriendsorg https://www.youtube.com/@BensfriendsOrg Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min

  6. MAR 27

    What's New with Private Patient Advocacy

    Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to coordinate appointments with multiple specialists? Have you ever left a medical visit with more questions than answers? Or wondered who can help you navigate the increasingly complex world of healthcare? In today’s healthcare landscape, patients are facing more information, more specialists, and more complicated treatment decisions than ever before. While medical advancements have improved care in many ways, they’ve also made the system harder to navigate — leaving many patients and families feeling confused, stressed, and unsupported. In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine explore the evolving role of private patient advocacy and why it’s becoming an essential part of modern healthcare. In this conversation, you’ll learn: • The key difference between general patient advocates and private patient advocates • Why healthcare complexity is increasing — and what that means for patients • How private advocates provide personalized, one-on-one support throughout the healthcare journey • The many ways advocates help coordinate care, prepare for appointments, and organize medical records • How advocacy has evolved beyond hospital stays to include proactive, ongoing support • Why experience and insight are critical when navigating complex diagnoses, treatments, and second opinions If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Take control of your healthcare journey with confidence. ✨ Enroll today in our Patient Advocacy Course and learn how to speak up, stay organized, and make informed decisions about your care or your loved one’s. 👉 Visit https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ to get started. Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min
  7. Akathisia, Trauma, and the Nervous System: Chris Paige Story

    MAR 20

    Akathisia, Trauma, and the Nervous System: Chris Paige Story

    Have you ever taken a medication that made you feel worse instead of better? Have you been told your symptoms were anxiety… when your body was clearly in crisis? Have you felt changed — even traumatized — by the very system meant to help you heal? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with licensed therapist and coach Chris Page, LCSW, to unpack a topic that is rarely discussed openly: medical and iatrogenic trauma. With over 35 years of experience — and powerful lived experience as a survivor of pharmaceutical injury — Chris speaks not just as a clinician, but as what he calls a “wounded healer.” Together, they explore what happens when treatment causes harm… and why so many patients are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or caught in a dangerous cycle of worsening symptoms. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What iatrogenic injury really means — and why it’s often overlooked • How medication side effects can mimic psychiatric illness and lead to misdiagnosis • What akathisia is — and why it can be life-threatening yet misunderstood • Why medical trauma can erode trust and social support • How early life trauma and nervous system dysregulation show up as chronic physical illness • The difference between “top-down” talk therapy and “bottom-up” somatic healing • Why hope and neuroplasticity are central to recovery Chris shares his harrowing experience of surviving chronic akathisia for over three years — pacing 12–14 hours a day, battling intense suicidal ideation, and navigating a medical system that didn’t recognize his crisis. But this episode is not just about suffering. It’s about survival. It’s about nervous system healing. It’s about understanding that symptoms often make sense — even when they’re misunderstood. And most importantly, it’s about hope. If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395. Connect with Chris Paige: https://www.chrispaigelcsw.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063867851444# https://www.instagram.com/frehley13 Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  8. MAR 13

    Self Advocacy: What I Need to Know

    Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment thinking of the questions you wish you had asked? Have you ever felt unsure about speaking up in a medical setting? Or wondered how much your voice actually matters in your own healthcare decisions? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine dive into one of the most powerful yet often overlooked tools in healthcare: self-advocacy. For many patients, navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming. Appointments are short. Medical language can be confusing. And when you’re already dealing with illness, stress, or uncertainty, finding the confidence to ask questions or challenge unclear information can feel incredibly difficult. But self-advocacy isn’t about being confrontational or questioning every medical decision. It’s about partnership. Together, they explore: • What self-advocacy really means in a healthcare setting • Why does it play such a critical role in patient outcomes • The common barriers that prevent patients from speaking up • How asking the right questions can prevent misunderstandings and medical errors • Why feeling intimidated or overwhelmed in appointments is completely normal • Practical ways to prepare for appointments and communicate more confidently If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Take control of your healthcare journey with confidence. ✨ Enroll today in our Patient Advocacy Course and learn how to speak up, stay organized, and make informed decisions about your care or your loved one’s. 👉 Visit https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ to get started. Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates pathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 min
See All (94)

Trailer

About

Are you tired of feeling lost and overwhelmed in the healthcare system? Do you want to regain control of your health journey and make informed decisions with confidence? If so, then this podcast is for you.  I am a Doctor of Medical Science, author, a mother and a Board Certified Patient Advocate who has worked in healthcare for over 25 years. I have been the provider, the patient, the daughter, the sister, and the parent facing the overwhelming healthcare system; and left feeling alone and confused. Navigating your health and managing your healthcare is challenging, but it's a lot better when we go through it together.  Are you ready to take charge of your healthcare journey? It's time to Ask the Patient Advocate! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Elena Borrelli
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Elena Borrelli
  • Show Website
    Ask The Patient Advocate