What Is Patient Advocacy?

Simply stated, patient advocacy is the support of and proactive service on behalf of medical patients and their families.  Patient advocates provide guidance to patients and caregivers as they navigate the increasingly complex healthcare system. They help clarify and demystify medical information, treatment, and services for their patients and caregivers.

Larimar Patient Advocates begin with a thorough patient assessment to glean relevant information such as medical history, medications, and symptoms as well as patients’ concerns and questions about their conditions.  Depending on their situation, Larimar may also provide any or all of these services:

• Review of medical reports
• Medication list and interaction review
• Detailed overview of medical history for provider(s)
• List of education and resources to assist with decision-making
• Attendance at doctor’s appointments and a written summary of the visit
• Attendance at patient/family conferences in the hospital
• Assistance with finding short- or long-term care facilities, or home health care
• Coordinating with discharge planners to facilitate a safe discharge from hospital
• Communicating and collaborating with patients, families, and care team
• Assistance in finding appropriate physicians or other providers based on unique situations
• Assistance with getting second opinions
• Arranging transportation to and from appointments

In short, patient advocates guide patients in putting the pieces of medical care together, making sense of their situation, and giving them and their loved ones peace of mind.

Who is Patient Advocacy For?

Because our healthcare system has changed dramatically over the years, patients now may get lost in the complex web of specialized information.  Care becomes fragmented when multiple specialists are involved and when corporations, instead of doctors, dictate the kind of care provided.  Patients can easily get overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated when faced with a health crisis or growing medical issues.  Communication gets lost in this web, and patients fall through the cracks.

Patient advocates fill the gap in the system.  Because of their work experiences, advocates see the total picture of the healthcare system, and they are skilled in communicating relevant, specialized information in terms that make sense to patients. In short, patient advocates are a good fit for all those who need support in navigating the medical system and who want proactive service in order to achieve peace of mind with their health care.