Web Chat Offers Women Private Way To Broach Delicate Subject

Women with questions about personal defecatory dysfunctions who may be embarrassed to ask their health provider will have the chance this week to get answers quickly and privately during a Spectrum Health Web chat.

Problems such as constipation, diarrhea, straining with bowel movements and other symptoms of abnormal stooling impact women’s lives. These health issues can be dealt with if they are brought to the attention of physicians. Christine A. Heisler, MD, a urogynecology specialist, will address these concerns on Friday, March 19, from noon to 1 p.m. at www.spectrum-health.org/onlinechat.

Dr. Heisler is a specialist in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) with the Spectrum Health Medical Group. Dr. Heisler, who comes to Grand Rapids after training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is the only fellowship-trained FPMRS surgeon in West Michigan.

Spectrum Health launched its new Web site in October 2009. In addition to Web chats, new features on the site include a multimedia symptom checker, a “Should I call a doctor?” self-assessment tool, an “A to Z” health information directory, health specialist blogs and links to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, a collection of seven hospitals and more than 140 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group, mmpc® and West Michigan Heart-physician groups totaling more than 400 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with nearly 580,000 members. Spectrum Health’s 16,000 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,200 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care. The organization provided $79.4 million in community benefit during its 2009 fiscal year. As a system, Spectrum Health has earned more than 100 awards since it was formed in 1997.