Importance Of Patient Advocate In The Society

By Arline Bradley


He or she is concerned with the care patients get and their knowledge on the use of health plans. A Patient advocate can be an organization or an individual. An individual advocate may offer services that are normally provided by organizations to the individual patient.

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.

It may primarily entail playing simple tasks such as overseeing transportation of patients or their movement 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.

It involves taking up important duties such; ensuring the patient and his or her family has access to relevant medical materials that have been published, keeping family members, health provider and any other relevant person informed, ensure recording and treatment is done correctly, ensure resolution of disputes on behalf of the client and protect confidential information.

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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