BYOHA: Bring a Patient Advocate

Mitigate overwhelm with an advocate

Knowledge is power, and empowering patients to navigate overwhelming information during a doctor or hospital stay may depend on having a trusted patient advocate present. This person may be a friend, family member or a trained professional.  

Guide is here to help anyone with a diagnosis figure out how to navigate health care. There will be several future stories in the “Becoming Your Own Health Advocate” series. These articles will break down the process. They will also arm readers with information to help along every step of the way. 

The Empowered Patient Coalition in Greater Gainesville amplifies patients’ voices by building a community focused on improving the quality and safety of patient care.  

This non-profit organization believes in allowing patients to make their own informed medical decisions. EPC has worked over a decade creating free education resources that assist patients and families in navigating complex health systems and partner with their medical providers. EPC specifically has information on how to choose a Patient Advocate.  

UF Health Patient Advocate 

UF Health offers a patient advocate for their patients. Advocates act as liaisons between the patient and their care team and provide guidance about patient rights and responsibilities.  

 For more information, contact the Patient Experience Office at (352) 265-0123 and ask to speak with a patient advocate

Nothing replaces the care and support from a loved one. The advocate should be comfortable asking questions, tech-savvy for researching and documenting information and a good spokesperson for the patient. The advocate should also feel comfortable asking for a second opinion and reaching out to alternative doctors or care facilities if they question the quality of care.  

Bringing a patient advocate to the hospital or doctor’s office can make a difference with: 

1. Patient’s Weakened Condition – when the patient feels ill, it could affect how they communicate their symptoms and medical history. A patient advocate would have all the necessary information to share with the doctor and help clarify for the patient.  
2. Gathering Information – the patient advocate can gather necessary information on care, prescriptions, surgery dates and other pertinent details the patient could miss due to feeling unwell or overwhelmed. Advocates can take notes and assemble information in a way that is easiest for the patient to comprehend.  
3. More time allotted – many doctors will accommodate an advocate in the room by explaining in more detail any questions the advocate may have and sharing possible procedures for care or recovery.  
4. Emotional and physical support – advocates are essential for patient care when the patient is incapacitated due to sickness, injury or has been medically inducedidentify the patient’s needs to the medical staff and notify them if there is a concern. Documenting care can also be crucial should problems arise.  
5. Coordinate resolution of billing concerns and legal complaints – with anywhere from 210,000 – 440,000 yearly deaths due to medical errors or injury, a patient advocate could save a life. Having an advocate present during meetings, hospital stays and after-care can help with having a positive health outcome. 

With the medical and healthcare system being overwhelmed for the past two years, patients with advocates benefit from the added support system for better health and wellness. 

by Deborah Holmén, M.Ed., NBCT.