How can you keep your patient advocacy innovative and cutting-edge?

At WomenHeart, we stay at the cutting edge of innovation by doing three things - partnering with those who do that every single day - entrepreneurs who are innovating for women with heart disease; leaning into and leading with stories of the diversity of the lived experience of patients - aka Champions; and focusing on thrivorship, i.e. not what they/we can't do but what we are doing and how we're hitting it out of the ballpark in all facets of life.

Creating a fully supported yet independent, member-driven Patient Advisory Council with patient-families (patients themselves and their caregivers) to weigh in on health organization policies and proposed initiatives

Patient advocacy is about supporting and empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health care. To keep it innovative and up-to-date, patient advocates can use social media, collaborate with other stakeholders, educate themselves and others, involve patients in research and care design, and utilize real-world data and technology.

To keep patient advocacy innovative, stay abreast of industry trends, embrace digital tools for outreach and education, foster partnerships with tech companies, and leverage social media for broader reach. Engage in continuous learning, attend relevant strategic meetings/ conferences, and actively seek feedback from patients to adapt strategies effectively. By prioritizing innovation, we can drive positive change and better serve the needs of patients in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Meeting the patient when they are in need with the right help is key. My local police department has teamed up with mental health resource that responds to calls. This not only frees up police but it helps people get the help that they most need. When I worked in Emergency, I would see many patients call that needed social services not medical treatment. I would like to see more organizations think outside of the box and team up to meet people where they are with the right resources.

Digital Platforms: Utilize social media, websites, and mobile apps to reach a wider audience, disseminate information, and support patients and their families. Telehealth and Virtual Tools: Leverage telehealth services to provide support and advocacy for patients who cannot access healthcare facilities easily. Virtual tools can also facilitate meetings, training, and workshops for patient advocates. Innovative Solutions: Stay informed about new technological advancements in healthcare and patient support. This can include everything from wearable health devices to AI-driven health assessments.

Leveraging technology enables you to connect to patients where they are. It also enables connection with patients across therapeutic areas and demographics. For example patients who's diseases put them at risk of infection may be more inclined to engage virtually than in person. By reaching out on social media or through patient platforms, you can connect with almost any type of patient. Many Patient Advisory Groups take advantage of this opportunity by creating TA specific patient channels and platforms.

In the ever-evolving landscape of patient advocacy, integrating technology is pivotal for staying innovative and cutting-edge. Leveraging digital tools and platforms enables efficient management of caseloads, tracking progress, and documenting outcomes. Moreover, technology facilitates seamless communication with clients, providers, and stakeholders through secure messaging, video calls, and online portals. Embracing these advancements not only enhances productivity but also elevates accessibility and service quality, ensuring that patient advocates can navigate their roles with utmost efficiency and effectiveness.

In my experience, technology continues to be a game changer. Leveraging technology to advance our own expectations and expand the possibilities of the here and now will have the greatest impact on patient advocacy.

To keep patient advocacy innovative and cutting-edge, continuously educate yourself on the latest healthcare trends and technologies, engage with diverse patient communities, leverage digital platforms for outreach, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and advocate for policies that embrace innovation and improve patient care.

By inviting ratings, suggestions, and insights, you not only gauge your performance but tap into a valuable source of perspectives. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups offer a deeper understanding, allowing you to measure impact, recognize strengths, address weaknesses, and ultimately tailor your strategies to better meet the evolving needs and expectations of those you advocate for.

Checking in and seeking feedback and the best way to confirm they have been taken care of and not forgotten. Which can happen very easily.

As suggested in the first section, asking colleagues how they would translate complex writing into patient-friendly terms is a valuable investment of time. Likewise, be sure to ask patients if everything is clear, or if there is any aspect of the information that is at all confusing. One way to help a patient open up about their uncertainty is to explain to them that you are trying to work on explaining complex medical information in a way that makes more sense; letting them know that they’ll be helping you opens the door for their questions to emerge.

In my experience, feedback from both patients and frontline healthcare administrators, are the catalysts for change. Become a storyteller for your own experience as a patient, caregiver or observer. This allows the system to meet people where they are at.

Seek feedback from patients, providers, manufacturers. In seeking feedback from others it will allow you to understand pain points and ways you or the business can improve to better help patients.

I think that the biggest key to patient advocacy is addressing the social determinants of health that may be impacting the patient's health like loneliness, socioeconomic status, race, and discrimination. It is important to stay curious, data-driven, collaborative and be willing to adapt your approaches to changing patient needs and emerging opportunities. Treat every human as their own individual rather than a list of symptoms, and lastly make sure to listen intently!

- Incorporación de la voz del paciente en la toma de decisiones: Asegurar que las asociaciones de pacientes estén representadas en comités consultivos de salud. - Transformación digital del sistema sanitario: Utilizar la tecnología para mejorar la gestión de listas de espera, el acceso a historiales clínicos y el seguimiento de ttos, sin perder el enfoque humano. - Tecnología médica avanzada: Implementar técnicas punteras que eviten cirugías innecesarias,evitando riesgos. - Educación y mediación: Los defensores de los pacientes pueden actuar como mediadores con instituciones políticas sanitarias. - Alianzas de salud vanguardistas: Crear redes de colaboración entre organizaciones de pacientes, profesionales de la salud y autoridades.

In my journey to cutting-edge Patient Advocacy, it's not just about keeping up; it's about diving deep into the “root cause” of today's health challenges. I like to remain focused on the latest techniques in detoxification to better understand our genetic make-up & how to eliminate unwanted environmental toxins & chemicals from the body. It's a bit like being a health detective, using breakthroughs in BioActive Carbon Technology and the natural healing power of Humic & Fulvic Acid to cleanse the body at the Cellular & Mitochondria level. That’s how I remain flexible and am able to continue to help chronically ill patients heal and overcome the many obstacles that are getting in their way.

One thing that I have found that helps with flexibility is active listening to understand the patients and not listening to respond .When you listen to understand you are more likely to connect with the person rather than change the disease process that patient may be experiencing. Connecting with the human fosters flexibility and change.

Each patient journey is different, I’ve worked in different units and hospitals in my 30 year career in healthcare. Each unit has different policies and procedures, furthermore NHS is a constantly evolving system because of political, economic, public expectations and technology. Personally, I adapt my approach to each patient encounter to ensure I meet the unique needs of each and every patient encounter.

I try and surround myself with others who are doing more than me, who are leaders, and innovators. This motivates me to keep learning.

I've taken a proactive leap beyond my role as a Board-Certified Patient Advocate to also learn how to bridge the gap between the traditional Healthcare System and Foundational Medicine by becoming a CellCore Biosciences Practitioner. By attending their ECO Conferences (Exponential Clinical Outcomes) and monthly Q&A sessions with some of the world's most forward-thinking doctors and clinicians, I am able to learn all about the role toxins & chemicals play in our health and how to get to the "root cause" of most medical issues. This hands-on approach to learning and collaboration allows me to stay abreast of the latest innovations and continually challenges me. It's my way of innovating from within and being impactful to others.

To keep patient advocacy innovative and cutting-edge, embrace the subtle power of micro-expressions, understand defenses, and master active listening. Micro-expressions reveal true emotions; spotting them helps tailor your approach, ensuring empathy and connection. Recognize defenses as natural reactions to stress; addressing them with tact can lower barriers, fostering open dialogue. Active listening is your secret weapon; it validates feelings and uncovers needs, leading to innovative solutions. By integrating these strategies, you'll not only advocate effectively but also pioneer new paths in patient care.

I spend a lot of time listening to patients and determining the unticracies of their needs by carefully listening. Communicate these needs, as well as lobby groups amd payor sources to adjust specific needs to what the menu of assistance to meet thr clients needs. It can be a bit of a balancing act but I've never missed the mark. Clients also need to have flexibility as well.

In my experience, if you are not learning something new, working hard, or challenging yourself. You are not helping yourself or others. Growth mindset is key. Innovate and adapt!

To keep patient advocacy innovative, embrace technology such as AI-powered chatbots to provide instant support and information to patients. Create partnerships with digital health startups to pilot new tools and platforms that empower patients, such as virtual support groups or telemedicine services. Collaborate with researchers to conduct studies on patient experiences and preferences, informing advocacy efforts. For instance, Patient Advocates in Research (PAIR) collaborates with academic institutions to involve patients in research design and implementation. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements and actively engaging with patients and stakeholders, patient advocacy remains dynamic and impactful.

Get involved with your local, state and national medical organizations and advocate for your patients. Get to know your local, state and national legislators and become content experts for them on patient care issues. Build relationships and make a difference!