Here's how you can effectively handle and juggle multiple advocacy cases at the same time.

Urgency and Importance: Analyze each case based on urgency (immediate action needed) and importance (potential impact on the client or cause). Cases requiring immediate action due to deadlines, court appearances, or critical developments should be prioritized first. Client Needs: Consider the specific needs of each client. Some clients may require more hand-holding or frequent communication. Factor this into your prioritization to ensure essential support is provided.

I use what I learned as an RN Case Manager. Keep a list of projects/clients on one document. Notes to the right for tasks. Set 3 highlights for work that day for 3 levels of priority. Highlight those projects/clients on your plan knowing they can change(even for that day!). Number priority based on your work guidelines (time allotment, need, emergent, special cases). Keep running notes once you complete a task for each project/client. Reevaluate numbered priorities after mid-shift, 5 minutes of deep breathing to reset the nervous system. Recognize that our thoughts and priorities change throughout the day. Stop 1 hour before the end of your day to handle emergencies and document.

It is essential that a practioner be focused on priority. When I worked in the emergency department in the past, I was forced to triage as I was trying to manage a number of people in the ED at the same time. Evaluating the individual, determining the nature of the situation and their needs biosocially versus mental health issues, as well as determining safety and best treatment outcomes coming out of the ED was stressful - I had to develop tools that didn't exist, to advocate for good policies for patient safety, and determine where people were at in a process that often took more than 4 hours to resolve. Priority begins where difficulties needed to be addressed immediately. A good computer helps to make the process easier.

It’s important to work collaboratively with at least two other practitioners when seeking clinical assessments of patients acuity. This approach helps gain the best insight and treatment planning approach for the patients needs, and to provide a diverse outlook on how continued improvement can occur based on the impressions collaboratively gained.

An issue that affects health and safety would be more of a priority then a matter of convenience. When prioritizing, it is important to keep deadlines in mind to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and to maintain Justice among all on the case load.

Organization is key to success. Some teams have specific systems they use but each individual may have different needs when it comes to organization. Finding what works best for each individual is important and sometimes that can look like an additional personal organization tool to support you in being successful.

To make sure members are getting active listening and time to ask questions members are concerned with. By letting members express themselves it is more empowerment for them.

To manage multiple advocacy cases effectively, clarity and purpose are crucial. This begins with asking: What is the core issue in each case, and what actions can address it? I'll adopt a methodical approach, focusing on one task in each case before moving on. Thoroughness will prevent overwhelm; I'll give undivided attention to each task sequentially. Prioritizing tasks based on urgency, impact, and feasibility ensures timely attention to critical cases. This strategic approach optimizes time and resources, maximizing advocacy impact.

Without my work and personal calendar my anxiety would be at a ten, ??. So I use the suggestions I give to others to help keep myself organized.

Delegation is extremely important and it can be useful to have weekly scheduled meetings with your team to discuss cases to ensure everyone is up to date. This can promote clarity, support, and successful delegation. It’s important to remember that nobody, especially the patient, benefits from one person taking in every aspect of the case. If you are sick or have a personal emergency, priority items can fall through the cracks.

In my experience, this advise is often tacked on the end of priority lists. I would argue that self care is priority #1, following the same reasoning behind Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. While I advocate this for all humans, clinicians especially require consistent self-care to manage the extra emotional and mental weight they often carry. I recommend keeping self-care on the mental check list in line with daily hygiene. This increases intentionality with self-care, therefore increasing chances of success and consistency.

We often have these mindsets of striving for excellence with our patient’s, but we often neglect ourselves in the process. It can happen often and quickly if you don’t catch it and keep the mindset of, ‘to not work harder than the patient’ to reel us back in. Mindful reflection and meditation is important, at least on a weekly basis, to keep us out of the burnout zone.

Self-care is at the beginning, middle and at the end of my day because if I am not in a calm and positive space then I can not help anyone.

In my experience, self-care is critical and essential for advocacy efforts to be carried out and continued. Burnout is real, and as a clinician, we sometimes forget to prioritize this. Self-care strategies need to be woven into practice. Self-care doesn’t always have to be something big either. Of course, luxurious vacations are lovely, but the day to day self-care is just as important. Finding a way to decompress after each day goes a long way, and it helps us stay healthy enough to keep advocating for those who need it most. My suggestion is to remember to care for yourself while caring for others, and prioritize it.

I agree with this, however, I think that this should be top priority. I often find that advocates will continuously back burner their self care because of high priority cases coming first. It can be useful to schedule time in your calendar for self-care whether it’s taking a walk during your break or scheduling a mental health day in advance to ensure self care is prioritized.

Always remember that imposter syndrome is among all of us. Even though it’s something we all may feel at times, it also can be way for us to acknowledge further training may be needed. Continued specialized training will always be important, and can humble each of us to remember that we are always learning.