Subject: Proposal to develop a guidebook on hypothyroidism in adults for those who have been recently diagnosed with the disease.

Transcription

1 Marlissa Ausslander Research Technician UT Medical Center 55 Medical Circle Austin, Texas October 30, 2008 The Medical Review Board Austin Diagnostic Medical Center Mopac Expressway Austin, Texas Subject: Proposal to develop a guidebook on hypothyroidism in adults for those who have been recently diagnosed with the disease. Enclosed is a proposal for an informative guide regarding hypothyroidism in adults, as requested in the Austin Medical Times. This proposal contains background information, a tentative outline of the guide, graphics, and the estimated cost of productions. Also included is the list of sources used for information on this disease. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the prospect of working with you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at (000) Sincerely, Marlissa Ausslander Enclosure: Proposal

2 Proposal: Guidebook for Hypothyroidism in Adult Patients The following is a proposal, as requested in the advertisement in the Austin Medical Times, to write an informative guide about hypothyroidism in adults for patients recently diagnosed. This proposal contains background information, a tentative outline of its contents, and the costs and charges estimated for the production of this much needed guide. It will contain diagrams and charts to help patients identify the location of the thyroid and the symptoms that are involved with hypothyroidism. Although it will contain technical information, it will be easily read and understood by anyone with a standard eighth-grade reading level. Purpose Diseases of the thyroid are not uncommon to the medical profession. Hypothyroidism affects approximately ten percent of Americans. It is something that is not brought to the public s attention like AIDS or various types of cancers are, even though it is a life-long battle. Until recently, hypothyroidism patients were not given an opportunity to become easily informed about their disease. With a guidebook, patients have a good start to understanding what is happening inside their body and cope with it openly. Hypothyroidism is an incurable disease and needs to be treated with as much care and openness as any other disease. Audience The guidebook will be written mainly for adult patients recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Explaining what hypothyroidism is, its symptoms, and how it is caused and treated will be the main points of the guidebook. It will have a few charts and diagrams to enhance understanding. The reader will not need to have any technical knowledge about the disease, only an eighth-grade reading level. Description The guidebook will be approximately ten pages long and include several easy to follow graphics and charts. The cover will be of heavy-weight paper. The guidebook will be center-folded and stapled. This offers most efficient production to fit the need. It will include information from various reputable sources such as the Thyroid Association and the Canadian Thyroid Society. Several endocrinologists will also review various parts of the guidebook and have input on its documentation. The general flow of the guidebook follows: Outline. The following is a working outline on how the guidebook will be set up. It shows the sections and details of the guidebook: I. Introduction A. What is the thyroid B. Definitions

3 1. Hypothyroidism 2. Hyperthyroidism C. At-risk groups D. Signs and symptoms E. Self-examination II. Causes A. Thyroiditis B. Genetics III. Diagnosis and Tests A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) B. Serums 1. Thyroxine (T4), 2. Triiodothyronine (T3) C. Radioactive iodine D. Imaging techniques 1. Scan 2. Sonogram E. Needle biopsy IV. Treatments A. Thyroid hormone pill B. Radioactive iodine C. Surgery D. Adverse consequences 1. Drug affects 2. Cardiac conditions V. Conclusion A. Long-term follow-up B. Reasons for keeping in touch C. Famous patients D. Resources for help Graphics. The following is a list of the graphics that will be presented in the guidebook: The throat (thyroid) area Symptoms Percentage affected with symptoms Recommended screening tests Diagram Diagram Table Table Schedule The following is a projected schedule of this project: November 23 Starting research

4 November 27 December 07 December 21 December 28 January 08 [Send] detailed outline sent for review [Complete] graphics produced Finalize preliminary draft Forward final copy forwarded Deliver first shipment Expenses The initial cost of production will be as follows: Write, edit, review 3,000 Develop graphics 1,000 Cover and binding 1,000 Duplicating (case of 1000) 4,000 TOTAL $9000 Information sources I have obtained a few sources for the guidebook thus far. More literature will be obtained from pamphlets and medical books. The following sources will provide the more specific details. 1. Hypothyroidism. Stanford University. August 1995; <wwwmed.stanford.edu/schooles/hypothyroidism.html>, June Accessed B. Kearns, Could it be your thyroid? First for Women, July [accessed?] 3. "Patient Information." American Thyroid Association. April 1997; < Accessed 1997, June Patient Information. Thyroid Home Page. 1997; < Accessed 1997, June M. Schachter, M.D, "Health World Online- Hypothyroidism" 1996; < Accessed 1997, June Qualifications Not only am I one of the ten percent of Americans diagnosed with having hypothyroidism, I am also a Research Technician for the University of Texas Medical Center. Having a diagnosis without any background information and lots of unanswered questions caused me to research the disease on my own. Once finding the answers, I found it easier to accept hypothyroidism and not let it run my life. Instead, I turned it around and found a start in my career in the medical field as

5 a medical researcher. During the past two years, my work with the University of Texas Medical Center has included guidebooks on diabetes, hyperthyroid disease, and glaucoma. Conclusion Knowledge, I believe, is crucial for every individual, especially when it comes to their health. Patients are not always given the information they need to understand what their doctors are diagnosing. Due to time restraints and/or unfamiliarity with certain subjects, patients sometimes leave the doctors' office with uncertainty. Patients may not be able to retain and process all the information that is given to them and are therefore not able to ask the "right" questions. This guidebook will help ease the adult patients into understanding their Hypothyroidism diagnosis. Informing the patient by using a standard guide alleviates doctors of explaining the details of the disease, yet lets the doctor feel comfortable with the patient leaving the office. It also puts some of the "power" in the hands of the patient. With a bit of understanding, Hypothyroidism patients no longer need to be afraid of the diagnosis or treatment. With this in mind, I hope you realize that we here at the University of Texas Medical Center, are professional individuals with one common goal to inform the public the best we can. Writing this guidebook brings us one step closer.