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Patient Advocate And The Significance Of Their Service

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.

Currently an advocate requires no special license or accredited certification in order to operate. However, Institutions are offering training and certificate programmes for those in this field. They do this through organizing workshops. Legal knowledge is however indispensable as one is required to adhere to the various legislation and rules that has been established. It is therefore incumbent upon the one to educate him or herself.

This advocacy entails playing an extremely important role when it comes to communication. He or she has to ensure that the client is fully informed on the requirements of the health provider such as the various stipulated rules and procedures. He maintains that the health care provider has all the vital medical information concerning the client. He or She links the two and therefore ensuring that the client does not undergo any unnecessary strain or anxiety hence speeding up the recovery process.

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 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.

In taking care of the patient, he or she must always ensure that he or she does not get too much attached with the former to an extent of affecting his or her work. The latter must be supportive and believe in the client. At times one has to act as spokesperson. Therefore the best person for the job must be caring and possess many more personal skills. A spouse, chaplain or even family members may play this role.




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