Patient advocacy refers to the active support and representation of patients’ rights and interests within the healthcare system. It involves guiding and empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health care, ensuring that they understand their options, and helping them navigate complex medical processes. Patient advocates may work with individuals to communicate their needs and preferences to healthcare providers, address concerns regarding treatment, access resources, and understand their medical conditions and treatment plans. Advocacy can occur at various levels, including individual patient advocacy, community outreach, and systemic advocacy to influence health policy. The goal of patient advocacy is to enhance patient autonomy, promote equitable access to healthcare, and improve the overall quality of care received by patients.
Patients Struggle with Understanding Healthcare: Navigating the complexities of health care systems and insurance can be daunting for many individuals. A recent advocate emphasized the need for extensive education to…