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 system, irrespective of the country you hail from, has become extremely tenuous that patients have to find an intermediary between themselves and the health provider. Doctors and nurses are not sufficient anymore to help us navigate through the many problems in the system. Professional private advocates become the best option for patients.

Advocates play numerous roles so far as helping the patient is concerned. They help in pursuing claims with the insurance companies, explaining the diagnosis and treatment of a disease or even in reviewing hospital bills. Medical advocacy remains one of the most important mode of advocacy and is integral to the positive outcome of the treatment 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.

Advocacy services may include activities such as transporting sick people to nursing homes. This is very essential especially when the clients are ageing people. They have to ensure the whole process is done smoothly. Sometimes they help in payment services if need be.

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.

This field is open to every person. There is no specific accreditation or license required to venture in the field. However some institutions of higher learning offer special training to interested individuals. Today there are workshops and conferences that are organize training on the field. After the training one is issued with a certificate. There are specific rules and legislation that advocates should observe in the jobs. It is in these gathering that they are enlightened about such matters.

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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