What are some effective ways to incorporate critical thinking into pediatric patient advocacy?

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When working with pediatric patients, I will ask the parents questions such as 'What is your understanding of the situation and the potential outcomes?' 'What are your hopes and fears?' 'What are the trade-offs you're willing to make and not willing to make?' and 'What is the course of action that would best serve your child?'" These questions help to educate the family by encouraging them to reflect on their perspectives, concerns, and priorities, thereby empowering them to actively participate in the care process and make well-informed decisions for their child's well-being.

Educating the family in pediatric patient advocacy is essential for empowering them to participate in their child's care. ?? Provide accurate information in understandable terms, helping them access resources and support. ?? Encourage questions, concerns, and feedback to foster open communication with the care team. ?? By educating the family, you enhance their confidence and competence in advocating for their child's well-being. ?? Together, we empower families to play an active role in pediatric healthcare. ??

To evaluate outcomes effectively in pediatric patient advocacy, I guide families in comparing medical information and test results. We analyze potential outcomes together, identifying better, worse, or no-change scenarios. This process helps us understand the effectiveness of the care plan and whether adjustments are necessary to ensure the child's well-being and quality of life. Additionally, we'll also look beyond the physical aspects of their health and also address the mental, social, and emotional aspects to ensure that we provide comprehensive support for the child's overall well-being.

In pediatric patient advocacy, reflection on practice is key for enhancing skills and knowledge. ?? Take time to examine experiences, strengths, weaknesses, successes, and failures as a patient advocate. ?? Seek feedback from others and use it for continuous improvement. ?? By reflecting on practice, you foster professional development and lifelong learning in patient advocacy. ?? Embrace this critical thinking approach to better serve pediatric patients and their families. ??

By reflecting on your practice, you can enhance your ability to serve pediatric patients effectively. I often ask myself, "What strategies worked best in advocating for a child's needs, and why?" This helps identify successful approaches. Additionally, I consider, "Where could I have communicated more effectively with healthcare providers or families?" to improve interactions. Finally, I reflect, "What feedback have I received from colleagues or families, and how can it inform my future advocacy efforts?" By systematically evaluating my experiences and seeking external feedback, I continuously refine my approach, ensuring that I'm providing the most informed and compassionate advocacy possible for the children I serve.

An important part of pediatric advocacy that gets overlooked is preparing young patients to age into adult care. Sickle Cell disease advocates, especially SCTPN, are putting a spotlight on how important it is to help children become their own healthcare champions. Most US hospitals with SCD programs/clinics are focused on pediatric care, leaving kids to face (often hostile) adult medical services in their late teens. Preparing children, especially those with rare diseases and recurring health issues, to transition successfully to adult care is a key part of pediatric advocacy. Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network