What is a Patient Advocate?
NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY FOUNDATION® (NPSF)

The Role of the Patient Advocate:

A Consumer Fact Sheet

Illness is a stressful time for patients as well as their families.
The best-laid plans can go awry, judgment is impaired, and put simply, you are not at your best when you are sick. Patients need someone who can look out for their best interests and help navigate the confusing healthcare system – in other words, an advocate.

What is a patient advocate?
An advocate is a “supporter, believer, sponsor, promoter, campaigner, backer or spokesperson”. It is important to consider all of these aspects when choosing an advocate for yourself or someone in your family.
An effective advocate is someone you trust who is willing to act on your behalf as well as someone who can work well with other members of your healthcare team such as your doctors and nurses.

An advocate may be a family member such as a spouse, a child or other family member, or a close friend. Another type of advocate is a Professional Advocate. Hospitals usually have professionals who play this role called Patient Representatives or Patient Advocates. Social Workers, nurses and chaplains may also fill this role. These advocates can often be very helpful in cutting through red tape. It is helpful to find out if your hospital has professional advocates available, and how they may be able to help you.

Using an advocate – getting started
n   Select a person you can communicate with and who you trust. It is important to pick someone who is assertive and who has good communication skills. Make sure the person is willing and able to be the type of advocate you need.
n Decide what you what you want help with and what you want to handle on your own. For example, you may want help with:
-Clarifying your options for hospitals, doctors, diagnostic tests and
     procedure or treatment choices.
-Getting information or asking specific questions
-Writing down information you receive from your caregivers, as well
     as any questions that you may have.
-Assuring that your wishes are carried out when you may not be able
     to do that by yourself.
n Decide if you would like your advocate to accompany you to tests, appointments, treatments and procedures. If so, insist that your doctor and other caregivers allow this.
n Be very clear with your advocate about what you would like them to know and be involved in – Treatment decisions? Any change in your condition? Test results? Keep track of medications?
n Let your physician and those caring for you know who your advocate is and how you want them involved in your care.
n Arrange for your designated advocate to be the spokesperson for the rest of your family and make sure your other family members know this. This will provide a consistent communication link for your caregivers and can help to minimize confusion and misunderstandings within your family.
n Make sure your doctor and nurses have your advocate’s phone number and make sure your advocate has the numbers for your providers, hospital and pharmacy as well as anyone else you may want to contact in case of an emergency.








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