Provision of patient advocacy services is undoubtedly one of the fastest emerging careers. The institution of a patient advocate has been reinforced by international media and reports. It is a field that has caught the interest of medical professionals such as doctors and nurses, social workers and even entrepreneurs keen on venturing in to a new market niche. The wide scope of advocacy services has made all these have a role to play as a advocate among patients.
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 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.
A medical advocate will take part in the deliberations between the sick individual and the doctor. It is the duty of the specialist to help clients make up his mind on tough medical decisions, monitor hospital services to ensure the person gets the best and closely look in the medication such drugs to ensure they are correct dosage. He or she may even ensure the sick is in appropriate conditions to prevent the risk of infection.
The advocate may play simple tasks such as overseeing transportation of patients or their movement into nursing homes.
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.
There is no special accreditation or license that is required to venture in this field, institutions such as colleges and universities have come up with special program mes meant to equip advocates with skills. They organize workshops and others even offer certificates. Basic legal knowledge is also of benefit. One is required to be updated on legislation and rules that have been enacted with regard to self advocacy services. Therefore self education is paramount.
In taking care of the sick, the advocate 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 patient. 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.
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 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.
A medical advocate will take part in the deliberations between the sick individual and the doctor. It is the duty of the specialist to help clients make up his mind on tough medical decisions, monitor hospital services to ensure the person gets the best and closely look in the medication such drugs to ensure they are correct dosage. He or she may even ensure the sick is in appropriate conditions to prevent the risk of infection.
The advocate may play simple tasks such as overseeing transportation of patients or their movement into nursing homes.
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.
There is no special accreditation or license that is required to venture in this field, institutions such as colleges and universities have come up with special program mes meant to equip advocates with skills. They organize workshops and others even offer certificates. Basic legal knowledge is also of benefit. One is required to be updated on legislation and rules that have been enacted with regard to self advocacy services. Therefore self education is paramount.
In taking care of the sick, the advocate 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 patient. 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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