What Is Patient Advocacy?
A patient advocate is someone who can help you get the most out of your medical care.
Why should I hire a patient advocate?
You’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness and have no idea what to do next. You’ve been given a pile of brochures and other information but it’s too overwhelming to cope with by yourself.
You have a medical problem and your physician isn’t addressing your concerns. You’re frustrated and feel like you have no recourse.
Your healthcare providers use a lot of medical jargon and “doctor speak” and you wish someone could translate it for you into terms that are easier to understand.
You have to see more than one doctor for your condition, but they don’t communicate or coordinate with each other. What then?
These are just a few of the situations in which a patient advocate can support you.
How will I benefit from using a patient advocate?
Increasingly, healthcare providers are overwhelmed. On average, doctors spend only between 13 and 20 minutes with each patient. That isn’t always enough time, especially if you have a complex medical issue. And some patients feel intimidated when talking to their doctors, or they downplay the significance of their symptoms. But you should always feel free to speak up.
You have the right to be heard, and you have the right to have your needs met. A patient advocate can help you feel empowered and educated. Studies have shown that patients who are play an active role in their own care, who understand their disease, treatment options, and rights, generally have better experiences and better outcomes—and lower medical costs.