A patient advocate is a consultant who supports a client
with a variety of needs, both in a medical setting and at home. They may be a medical professional, a social
worker, or a lay person with experience with chronic disease or with helping a
loved one navigate their own health journey.
In a medical setting, patient advocates can accompany
clients to doctor appointments or outpatient rehab sessions. As a result, they can communicate with
medical staff and family members about the patient’s ongoing condition, medical
compliance and related concerns. They
can also help with the filing of insurance and medical claims. Through home visits, they develop a
relationship with the patient and monitor health progress by taking vitals, overseeing
the correct use of medical supplies and equipment as well as keeping track of
medication usage. They may also make
suggestions for physical changes to the home environment to ensure safety by
assessing fall risk and potential hazards due to limited mobility.
Ultimately the patient advocate can serve many functions,
but their primary function is to advise and assist throughout the treatment
process. Patient advocates are often vital for major decisions in the change of
care or environment, such as when it is too risky to have a patient living
alone, or when to begin worrying about quality of life over aggressive
treatment. Ultimately, it is the job of the advocate to help patients and their
families navigate the healthcare system.
