Gary McClain, a mental health professional with a doctorate in adult development and educational psychology, has tapped interactive marketing agency Sharpe Partners to create a new medical resource.
The interactive Web site, which is expeted to launch in mid-April, is aimed at creating a resource for patients who have a chronic or catastrophic condition or disease, as well as the caregivers and the professionals who work with them.
“The site is the only place where anyone who has been diagnosed with a catastrophic illness — or is a support person for someone who has been diagnosed — can get insights to manage the emotions they are feeling,” said Kathy Sharpe, CEO of Sharpe Partners, New York.
The site will help lead patients through the process of understanding illness and give information about resources and support. It features guidelines for dealing with the emotions that may come after diagnosis and articles on making decisions and lifestyle changes written by Mr. McClain. It also includes question-and-answer discussion boards moderated by Mr. McClain.
Also included is a questionnaire designed to help individuals understand the emotional reactions to a diagnosis and how to respond to news in the most productive way.
” With these insights, [patients] are more likely to get the most effective care and better manage their illness,” Ms. Sharpe said.
