Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A Patient Advocate Makes Medical Processes Easier

By Sally Delacruz


Provision of advocacy services has been termed as one of the fastest upcoming career. According to US News &World report and the Entrepreneur magazine, advocacy has been identified as career that is emerging on its own. Medical professionals, social workers, entrepreneurs looking at an emerging market niche are examples of people who have the skills, interest and even the qualifications to become a patient advocate. This is because advocacy has many aspects.

The health care systems in different countries have become so tenuous that patients have been forced to seek the services of intermediaries in the name of advocates to help them navigate through the challenges in the health care systems. This decision has been informed by the fact that doctors and nurses are not enough in helping patients overcome the challenges in the system such as those of medical insurance.

Advocates may come to you aid in pursuing insurance claims, help you in reviewing hospital bills, explain a diagnosis and its treatment or be with you regularly at home to monitor your recovery. Medical advocacy is arguably one of the most confusing and one that has a profound impact on the positive outcome of every medical process.

They are conspicuously present during the interactions between the ill individual and the doctor and may seek further clarification on behalf of the sick person regarding the medical process. They also offer advisory opinion especially when the client has to make a tough decision or occasionally be with you in the health centers to ensure you get the best services, the right medication or even ensure you are not prone to infection in the hospital.

The advocate may play simple tasks such as overseeing transportation of patients or their movement into nursing homes.

The advocate while acting as a link between the client and the health care provider 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 have relevant information such as previous health problems of the patient. This promotes quick recovery of the sick individual hence to it that the whole medical process runs smoothly without any strains.

Currently an advocate does not need any special license to work in this field. However, Institutions are offering training and certificate program-mes 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 advocate to educate him or her.

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 their clients are the best in this field. A family member, a child, a spouse or even a chaplain may play the role of an advocate. Services of professionals such as doctors or nurses may also be sought.




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