We’re Here…. But Who Are We?
There’s plenty out there about what patient advocates do. In the big picture, we help patients navigate the health care system. But what does that really mean? We are… problem-solvers A client came to me after trying for over 6 months to resolve...
Waking Up the Nation: Why GNA Matters
No one teaches us HOW to be a patient. When we are seen by the doctor or hospital and if something is seriously wrong, we rely on the system and professionals to point the way. Although this issue usually comes up when ‘the way’ is not black and...
Maintaining Sanity; Burnout and Other Challenges for Family Caregivers
Support and assistance is properly focused on the needs of those afflicted with chronic and acute illness, and aging. Cancer Support Community, Alzheimer’s Association, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and many other organizations...
Regaining Your Strength After a Hospital Stay: 5 Tips!
Part of what I do as an advocate is help make transitions out of care facilities as smooth as possible. In an ideal system, safe transfer between and out of facilities would be a given, but very often, this is simply not the case. Here are my 5...
The Brave Case Manager and The Duty to Advocate: A Case Study
“What happens when the duty to advocate is at odds with your employer? Do you jeopardize your job and livelihood in order to plead the cause of your patient?” Advocacy is the third provision of the Code of Ethics for Nurses. For nurse case...