What do you do if a patient needs support and understanding?

1 Listen actively

One of the most important skills you can use as a patient advocate is active listening. This means paying attention to what the patient is saying, as well as their tone, body language, and emotions. It also means asking open-ended questions, reflecting back what you hear, and summarizing the main points. By listening actively, you can show the patient that you care, that you respect their views, and that you want to understand their needs and concerns.

2 Validate their feelings

Another way to support and understand a patient is to validate their feelings. This does not mean that you agree with everything they say or do, but that you acknowledge and accept their emotions as valid and real. You can validate their feelings by saying things like "I can see that you are feeling angry/sad/scared/frustrated" or "That must be very hard/painful/stressful for you". By validating their feelings, you can help them feel less alone, less judged, and more supported.

3 Empower their choices

A patient advocate's role is not to tell the patient what to do, but to help them make informed and autonomous choices. You can empower their choices by providing them with accurate and relevant information, explaining the pros and cons of different options, and respecting their preferences and values. You can also help them explore their goals, hopes, and fears, and encourage them to express their opinions and questions. By empowering their choices, you can help them feel more confident, more in control, and more satisfied.

4 Offer resources and referrals

Sometimes, a patient may need more support and understanding than you can provide as a patient advocate. They may benefit from professional counseling, peer support groups, or other community resources that can help them cope with their situation. You can offer resources and referrals by researching and recommending appropriate services, facilitating the connection, and following up on the outcome. By offering resources and referrals, you can help them access additional help and support that can improve their well-being and quality of life.

5 Practice self-care

Finally, as a patient advocate, you also need to take care of yourself. Providing support and understanding to patients can be emotionally demanding and draining. You may experience compassion fatigue, burnout, or vicarious trauma. You can practice self-care by setting boundaries, managing your workload, seeking supervision and feedback, and engaging in activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. By practicing self-care, you can protect your health, maintain your motivation, and enhance your effectiveness as a patient advocate.

6 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?