How do you stand up for your patients in healthcare?

1 Know your patients

The first step to standing up for your patients is to know them well. This means building rapport, listening to their stories, understanding their goals, preferences, and values, and assessing their strengths and needs. Knowing your patients will help you identify their priorities, communicate effectively, and tailor your interventions to their specific situations. It will also help you establish trust and credibility, which are essential for advocacy.

2 Know your role

The second step to standing up for your patients is to know your role as a case manager. This means being clear about your scope of practice, responsibilities, and boundaries, and following the standards and ethics of your profession. Knowing your role will help you avoid role confusion, role conflict, and role strain, and enable you to perform your duties effectively and ethically. It will also help you recognize when you need to consult, collaborate, or refer to other professionals or resources.

3 Know your rights

The third step to standing up for your patients is to know your rights as a case manager. This means being aware of the laws, policies, and regulations that govern your practice, and the rights and responsibilities of your patients, yourself, and other stakeholders. Knowing your rights will help you protect your patients' rights, such as the right to informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination, and assert your own rights, such as the right to respect, safety, and due process.

4 Know your resources

The fourth step to standing up for your patients is to know your resources as a case manager. This means being familiar with the available services, programs, and supports that can help your patients achieve their goals and meet their needs. Knowing your resources will help you access and coordinate the most appropriate and cost-effective care for your patients, and advocate for their access and eligibility. It will also help you leverage your network and relationships with other providers and agencies.

5 Know your strategies

The fifth step to standing up for your patients is to know your strategies as a case manager. This means being skilled in the techniques and methods that can help you advocate for your patients and resolve conflicts or issues. Knowing your strategies will help you use effective communication, negotiation, mediation, and problem-solving skills, and apply critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and evidence-based practice. It will also help you document and report your actions and outcomes.

6 Know your limits

The sixth and final step to standing up for your patients is to know your limits as a case manager. This means being realistic about what you can and cannot do for your patients, and recognizing when you need to seek help, support, or guidance. Knowing your limits will help you avoid burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress, and maintain your well-being and professionalism. It will also help you respect your patients' autonomy, dignity, and diversity, and empower them to stand up for themselves.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?