Sunday, June 15, 2014

Functions Of A Patient Advocate In The Society

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.

Different countries in the world have their fair share of challenges in the health care system making it tremendously tenuous for patient to comfortably access health care services. This may be due to challenges with health care insurance companies or hospital bureaucracies. Doctors and nurses are no longer enough in helping deal with these challenges. Therefore an intermediary between the sick and the health care provider is of great valuable in navigating the challenges in the system.

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.

It is the role of every expert to help the patient move around. In fact the society has left the duty of moving the ageing sick to nursing home upon them. They are highly qualified personnel and know there work. They see to it that the old that are sick in the society get to nursing homes successfully and also help in payment whenever need arises.

It is the role of the expert to enlighten the sick person of the procedures and guidelines set by the health provider. He acts as the go in between the patient and health care provider. It is in this regard that regard that he is supposed to give the medic any necessary information on before of his client. In some cases the sick person is silent and the specialist talks to the doctor on his behalf.

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 vital. Everyone in the field should be careful not to get too much attracted to their client. The sick person is going through difficult moments and needs your help. It is therefore important to show your concern but know the boundary. Patients need someone who can act as their supporter, believer, backer and spokesperson.




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