Patient advocacy has been described as one of the fastest emerging careers most notably by the Entrepreneur magazine and US News. It is a field that has attracted entrepreneurs, social workers and medical professionals. These are examples of the people who have the interest, skill and qualifications to a patient advocate. This is primarily because patient advocacy has many aspects that require diverse expertise ranging from matters of insurance, health and law.
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.
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.
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.
The advocate while acting as a link between the client and the health care provider should ensure that the two sides are furnished with all the vital information. The client needs to be aware of the rules and procedures that have been set by the health care provider. On the other hand, the later needs to have relevant information such as previous health problems of the patient. This promotes quick recovery of the sick individual hence to it that the whole medical process runs smoothly without any strains.
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 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.
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.
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.
The advocate while acting as a link between the client and the health care provider should ensure that the two sides are furnished with all the vital information. The client needs to be aware of the rules and procedures that have been set by the health care provider. On the other hand, the later needs to have relevant information such as previous health problems of the patient. This promotes quick recovery of the sick individual hence to it that the whole medical process runs smoothly without any strains.
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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