How can you identify Patient Advocacy professionals who are unhappy in their current role?

1 Lack of motivation

One of the most obvious signs of unhappiness is a lack of motivation to perform your duties or pursue your goals. If you find yourself procrastinating, avoiding tasks, or feeling bored or uninterested in your work, you may be experiencing a burnout or a mismatch with your role. To overcome this, you need to reconnect with your purpose and passion for helping patients. You can also try to find new ways to challenge yourself, learn new skills, or seek feedback and recognition.

2 High stress levels

Another sign of unhappiness is high stress levels that affect your physical and mental health. Patient Advocacy can be stressful due to the complexity, uncertainty, and emotional intensity of the situations you deal with. If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, you may be suffering from compassion fatigue or vicarious trauma. To cope with this, you need to practice self-care and set healthy boundaries. You can also seek support from your colleagues, supervisor, or a professional counselor.

3 Poor relationships

A third sign of unhappiness is poor relationships with your coworkers, managers, or patients. Patient Advocacy requires teamwork, collaboration, and trust. If you feel isolated, misunderstood, or disrespected, you may be experiencing a conflict or a communication breakdown. To improve this, you need to communicate openly and respectfully, listen actively and empathetically, and resolve issues constructively. You can also seek mediation or mentoring if needed.

4 Low performance

A fourth sign of unhappiness is low performance or quality of your work. Patient Advocacy demands high standards of professionalism, competence, and ethics. If you make mistakes, miss deadlines, or receive complaints, you may be losing your confidence or credibility. To enhance this, you need to review your performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can also seek feedback, training, or coaching to improve your skills and knowledge.

5 Career stagnation

A fifth sign of unhappiness is career stagnation or lack of growth opportunities. Patient Advocacy offers a variety of paths and roles to advance your career. If you feel stuck, bored, or underutilized, you may be missing out on opportunities to learn, grow, or contribute. To change this, you need to explore your career goals and interests, and look for ways to expand your network, portfolio, or credentials. You can also seek mentorship, sponsorship, or guidance to plan your career development.

6 Dissatisfaction with organization

A sixth sign of unhappiness is dissatisfaction with your organization or work environment. Patient Advocacy depends on the culture, values, and policies of your organization. If you feel unsupported, unappreciated, or undervalued, you may be experiencing a misalignment or a lack of fit with your organization. To address this, you need to express your concerns and expectations, and look for ways to improve your work conditions. You can also consider changing your organization or sector if necessary.