Importance Of Patient Advocate In The Society

By Arline Bradley


Advocates are primarily involved in taking care of the interests of the patient and ensure they remain knowledgeable on health plans. The role of patient advocate is played by persons individually or through organizations.

Individual advocates liaise between the patients and the provider of the health care service. These individuals normally have a background in matters of health care or social work. They may for example have been doctors or nurses who have changed their focus. The field of nursing has specifically focused on advocacy as part of its training. It is covered as part of nursing ethics. Those with legal knowledge will also find it very relevant. Worth noting is that most of those practicing in this advocacy have a degree in a particular field.

Advocacy may entail simple responsibilities such as overseeing the transport of patients and supervising their transfer into nursing homes.

Though no licensing or special qualifications are required to offer these services, institutions such as colleges and universities have come up with special programme meant to equip advocates with skills. They organize workshops and others even offer certificates. Basic legal knowledge is also of benefit. One is required to be updated on legislation and rules that have been enacted with regard to self advocacy services. Therefore self education is paramount.

This advocacy ensures that the client is sufficiently informed to ensure that he remains aware of the various procedures and requirements set by the health provider and other requirements. He or She may separately help the health care provider with relevant communication or issue concerning the patient. He or she simply acts as a link between the two. The advocate can therefore contribute immensely to the successful treatment of the patient by ensuring that the latter does not undergo any unnecessary fear, strain or anxiety when confronting issues such as basic formalities.

He or she may go a notch higher to ensure that the client and the family have access to published medical materials that he or she deems necessary for them to have. This involves having family members kept abreast with what is happening with regard to the patient. He or she also keeps a close eye on the medical records and the general treatment of the former so as to ensure correctness and compliance. More to this, he or she may be involved in dispute resolution on behalf of the patient. This may entail filing suits or seeking the intervention of government bodies that ensure patient protection or even the help bodies that play oversight roles. Another important role is that of ensuring that information of the client is confidential does not get into public domain and if need be it must with his or her consent.

Advocates may also have positions in organizations that offer advisory opinion on health care issues. They ensure that the organizations put into consideration the interests and concerns of patients when making recommendations. They go a notch higher to ensure promotion of best practices in health care services. The government has been a key player in this by ensuring enforcement of these practices and handling complains through the set public offices.

Personal skills are extremely important.He or she must always maintain a line between showing concern for the client and getting to much attached. Since this is an extremely difficult time for the patient, the advocate simply acts as supporter, backer, believer and even the spokesperson. Therefore this person may be a member of your family, relative, a chaplain, professional advocates or any person who can play these roles best.




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