Here's how you can meet the changing needs and expectations of your clients as a patient advocate.

Educate your patients and promote will informed decision making.....make the advancing technology to your patients advantage - be passionate and compassionate to patient care

As a patient and family advocate, to bring exceptional patient centered health education you must continually grow and learn yourself. The resources available in today's marketplace for nurses allow even the busiest of individuals to carve out the time for continuing education. Podcasts, webinars, white papers, online courses, professional networking platforms, and virtual conferences are just the tip of the ice burg in today's learning environment.

While embracing education is part of it, the reality is not everyone has the time or the wherewithal to. Those responsible or those who should be responsible for the continuing education of their willing participants, first need to embrace it as part of the overall process of organizational growth. Training alone does not ensure strong and sustainable aspects, identifying the correct skill set, experience and soft skills are also a key factor. These abilities are often overlooked and a back seat is taken over credentials. Which may identify competency but not overall ability.

Actively participate in self-care practices that support your health, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and managing stress.

It's interesting that in certain care environments lip service is given to individualize care, but more emphasis seems to be on speed and efficiency. Getting to know patients quickly is a skill and you as a healthcare professional and within the nursing arena should practice at it by listening, keeping your word, using compassionate care to understand the patient has a need and we need to be more open to spending time giving attention. Speed and efficiency can live beside what is most important; forming the human connection.

As a retired nurse who volunteers in our busy Emergency Room lobby, individualize attention with ongoing communication about care, treatment plan and general empathy is key even for a volunteer. Patients and family members want to know there is a well-trained empathic caregiver every step of their journey. Advocating for patients includes keeping everyone informed in a stressful environment. I am fortunate to work for a faith-based system that encourages staff to offer prayer for those interested, an element of knowing your patients needs.

Care coordination should and has to stay at the forefront of medical care. Active listening, educating and care management is often overlooked , as the secondary attribute when in fact it not only drives the patients decision making process, it ensures we have not lost site of the human aspect of why we are here in the first place. Reputation is everything.

Documentation is key. Being able to follow the breadcrumbs of conversations that can last over years, or that you might be jumping into the middle of. What's been tried, what hasn't. What has worked, what hasn't. Reasons why. For example, we had a patient who missed their last two cardiology appointments in a row. We asked the patient about it and they tried to go, but both times the elevator was out-of-order. We coordinated with the cardiology office for a few remote visits, letting the patient come to our office for the e-visits and doing the requested testing and labs for the cardiologist. We also were able to get an appointment scheduled at the hospital for the patient, so they could see that doctor face-to-face.

Everyone is different and responds to challenges in various ways. For instance, I'll use a migraine as an example. Some people can still function while experiencing a migraine. For other people a migraine may be debilitating and make them completely immobilized.

Becoming well acquainted with the electronic resources available to you is paramount to achieving best possible outcomes. Proficient utilization of EHRs and other workplace software affords an opportunity to effortlessly meet the needs of clients while maximizing efficiency. Staying current in your knowledge of technology is another important part of ensuring best practice. Best practice in itself promotes patient advocacy.

Technology ia advancing rapidly so also should provider keep with tech to provide great service. Look at telemedicine now compare to pre COVID-19 era. What a drastic turn of event. So HCp must be willing and ready to adopt tech advancements to promote Healthcare services.

Meeting the changing needs and expectations of clients as a patient advocate through building networks involves strategic actions aimed at creating a robust support system. By building robust and dynamic networks, patient advocates can effectively meet the changing needs and expectations of their clients, ensuring they receive comprehensive, timely, and coordinated care.

Collaborating with healthcare providers, insurers, and fellow advocates enriches patient advocacy. By fostering a network of shared resources and knowledge, we amplify our advocacy efforts. This collaborative approach enables swift navigation of systems, facilitates access to diverse perspectives, and ensures holistic support for clients. Building networks isn't just about connections; it's about creating a unified community dedicated to elevating patient care standards. Let's harness the power of collaboration to transform patient advocacy into a collective force for positive change.

I completely concur with the importance of building a strong professional network in the healthcare industry. Here's my perspective: A robust network allows for quicker navigation through the healthcare system. This can be particularly beneficial when seeking second opinions or specialist referrals, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care. Networking can open doors to resources such as counseling, rehabilitation, and financial aid, which might otherwise be difficult to locate. Creating a community that prioritizes the well-being of patients can lead to a more empathetic and patient-centered approach. Strong networks empower patient advocates to be more effective in their roles.

In my experience, clear communication is indeed the cornerstone of successful patient advocacy. Patient advocacy means ensuring that patients receive the best possible care while having their voices heard. Clear communication bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers by fostering an environment where patients' needs are the primary focus. It is not just speaking clearly; it is also active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity. Medical information should be conveyed in an accessible way so that patients understand their diagnoses, treatments, and any potential risks. In this way, patients can make informed decisions about their care that fosters trust and collaboration between them and their healthcare providers.

Clear communication will help build a better relationship between patient and health care provider. They feel understood, and they understand the information shared with them. This will help avoid mistakes in the long run. Clear communication helps build trust and respect, between patient and health care provider.

Provide constructive feedback to your healthcare providers about what is working well and what could be improved. This helps them adjust their services to better meet your needs.

To assume a patient understands the logistics of the pre and post medical care dynamics, can be detrimental to the desired outcome. The mental aspect of recovery has to coexist in tandem with the physical. There are enough opportunities to make this process inclusive.

Compassion is very important in healthcare, especially at the bedside. We meet patients that hurt, struggle and are scared. Showing them empathy reassures them, that we listen and try to find the help they need. For me compassion is always at the forefront of any patient care, I've learned this during my nursing career (30 years critical care and 5 years in behavioral health).

Flexibility: Be open to adjusting your care plan as your health status changes. This might include trying new treatments, adjusting medications, or modifying lifestyle habits.

Spending time just talking to your patient and understanding their health care journey and experience acutely and historically. Close observation while someone is talking about their condition aka the clinical impression of the patient. When I go in a room it’s that patients turn to get 100% undivided attention from me. Understanding each person’s cultural experience and health care experience is a major key to successful outcomes. I’ve been observing healthcare and healthcare professionals literally since I was born. What I believe makes the biggest impact for a speedy recovery vs a protracted recovery is the care one receives at the bedside.