Part II of II, Protecting Your Wishes and Rights As A Patient: Patient Advocacy - You Are The Advocate

In times of medical emergencies or critical decision - making moments, being a patient advocate can be a daunting but crucial role. As a patient advocate, your primary goal is to ensure that the patient's wishes are heard and respected. This responsibility requires both knowledge of the patient's preferences and the ability to effectively communicate on their behalf.

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Here are some tips to help you navigate this challenging yet vital role:

1. Know the Patient Well

Knowing the patient well is the cornerstone of being an effective advocate. Familiarize yourself with their medical history, preferences, religious beliefs, and any other pertinent information that could impact their care decisions. Talk, chat, communicate and research together. This will help you strengthen your role as Medical Power of Attorney, the Patient Advocate.  Understanding their values and wishes will empower you to speak on their behalf with confidence and clarity.

2. Keep Important Documents Handy

It's essential to keep a copy of the patient's Durable Power of Attorney readily accessible. This legal document authorizes you to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient if they are unable to do so themselves. Having this document on hand can streamline the decision - making process and ensure that the patient's wishes are honored.

Have an easy to find list of all important telephone numbers and addresses. You will be busy and thinking constantly. You don't want to be in a position to hunt for contact information.

3. Stay Connected with Next of Kin

Maintaining open communication with the patient's next of kin is vital. Keeping family members informed and involved can help alleviate tensions that may arise during the patient's journey of care. Knowing the patient's wishes and lifestyle, you will understand how to involve the family, if at all.

Those closest to the patient may present challenges by persistently disagreeing with treatments and the patient's personal requests and desires. Various personalities can be heavily opinionated, unreasonable, agitated, and overstepping. This can become a problem with medical staff responsible for patient care, because the negativity can disrupt their processes causing delays in non-urgent treatment(s), amongst other practices. You aim for the patient to feel at ease and for the medical staff to work at a high standard of care in a stress - free setting.

We must address the drama because it quickly becomes a part of these situations. During these times, you must step in to manage tension in the environment to create peace with compassion and understanding. Remind everyone that their loved one is getting the care they requested and need. It is important for you to remain steadfast in supporting what the patient has clearly and thoughtfully communicated. In situations where a specific treatment scenario has not been addressed by the patient, others may tend to feel that the decision is up for a vote. It is not. Your familiarity with the patient will assist you in making decisions to the best of your ability, mirroring the patient's approach.

4. Advocate with Calm and Clarity

In moments of crisis or uncertainty, it's crucial to remain calm and composed. Advocating for the patient requires clear and effective communication with healthcare providers, family members, and other involved parties. By staying level-headed and focused, you can better advocate for the patient's best interests and ensure that their voice is heard.

5. Empowerment through Education

As a patient advocate, it's essential to educate yourself on relevant medical information, treatment options, and the healthcare system. During hospitalizations, treatment options can change as the doctors may be aware of other or even new procedures they would like to perform. By arming yourself with knowledge, you can ask informed questions, advocate for appropriate care, and engage effectively with healthcare professionals. Empowerment through education is key to being a strong and effective advocate for the patient.

Remember, being a patient advocate is a position of trust and responsibility. Your role is to serve as the patient's voice and ensure that their wishes are respected and carried out to the best of your ability. By following these tips and staying informed, you can navigate the challenges of patient advocacy with professionalism and compassion.

6. Show Up - Be Present

As the advocate, you will be able to handle the circumstances best by showing up and being present. You don't need to move in, but you should be the unforgettable attendee - the expected visitor. Doctors, surgeons and staff are busy. It helps for you to be there often. This also helps avoid delays in treatment(s). Be ready.

7. Take Care of Yourself, As the Advocate

Honor your body's needs. Being can advocate can be a draining experience for multiple reasons. Your mindfulness can suffer. Make time to dissolve and dismantle anxiety and frustration. Relax and make room for clear thinking. Avoid overwhelm. You will quickly learn when it's time to take a brief moment to regroup before becoming reactive. Reactivity will steal your ability to maintain your leadership role responsibly. Since you legally cannot delegate your role as Advocate to someone else, it is even more important to be your best self.

Here are some tips to help with Advocate self - care :

• Water Hyacinth (Elchornia crassipes, white) Flower Essence

  • Supports strength, clarity, and centeredness when in crisis and overwhelm

• Australian Sandalwood essential oil, for Aromatherapy

  • Supports healthy stress response

• Remember to breath deeply for a few minutes, throughout the day

• Stay Hydrated

• Get plenty rest

• Eat for nourishment

  • Fresh fruits, raw salads

• Have a trustworthy loved one who can be your confidante. You will need to talk "it" out.

If you are a surrogate and do not know the patient well...

Quickly gather the information you need about the condition(s) of the patient. Do the research. Learn about the patient from the closest family members and even friends. All of the above considerations still apply. But it is now your role to be the key person involved and this cannot be taken lightly. Remember to handle this situation the same way and with the same care you would hope an advocate would handle it for you.

In the role of a patient advocate, your dedication to upholding the patient's wishes and ensuring their voice is heard can make a world of difference in their care journey. However you ended up in this role, there is a purpose. Stay informed, stay connected, and most importantly, stay committed to being the advocate they hope for in their time of need. You can do this.

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Tyra Ware, CHHP CIr CH AT RYT

A Clinical Herbalist who's passionate about Medical Herbalism and Aromatherapy for health care. She partners with her fiancé at bZengi offering healing arts services to clientele worldwide.  She enjoys yoga, listening to music, reading, mystery and action films, learning languages and developing culinary creations and spending time with her fiancé.  You can learn more about her work at www.bzengi.net.