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Importance Of Patient Advocate In The Society

By Arline Bradley


These individuals are primarily concerned with the care of patients and whether they have got sufficient knowledge about health plans. Patient advocate is a role that can be played by an individual or also by an organization that specializes in these services.

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.

There is really no special licensing or accredited certification required to be in this field. However, institutions such as universities and colleges are offering simple training to those individuals wishing to engage in these roles. They organize workshops and some even offer certificates. Advocates are obliged to follow important legislation, rules that have been established and other requirements that have been stipulated. This means that they are individually responsible for educating themselves on these issues and the basic business of medicine.

This advocacy means acting as a link between the patients and the health care provider.It should ensure that the two sides are furnished with all the vital information. The client needs to be aware of the rules and procedures that have been set by the health care provider. On the other hand, the later needs to provide the health care provider relevant information such as previous health problems of the patient. This promotes quick recovery by ensuring he or she does not have to undergo unnecessary stress or anxiety.

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 be members of organizations that investigate and offer advice on healthcare issues. In these reports they ensure that the interests of the patients are safeguarded. Since some of these people are professionals, they agitate for the best practices in matters of provision of health services. The government has bolstered these efforts by setting up offices that ensure these practices are promoted and handle complains.

Personal skills are very necessary in the delivery of these services. In fact those persons who are caring, empathetic and can put themselves in the shoes of the patient are the best for the job. A family member, a child, a spouse or even a chaplain may play this role. Services of professionals such as doctors or nurses may also be sought.




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