How do you become an advocate?

Most people view being a pharmacist is a medication expert for side effects or anything related to medication usages besides assist practitioner or physician to fulfil the medication orders. However, the significance part of pharmacy duties is patient advocacy. And as an oncology pharmacist, this role is more important than ever because it involves not only understanding medications but also actively supporting patients through their cancer journey, as well acknowledge the emotional challenges that all cancer patients might have during their treatment process. These are the main reason I would want to become more effective advocate by seeking feedback, and actively pursuing professional development and networking with others in the field.

First and foremost, you must have tenacity. You are going to bump up against all kinds of problems and opposition in whatever issue you take on. Accept you will be knocked down. The ability to weather on is paramount. Tenacity is the deal breaker for any effective advocate.

Totally agree a person must have tenacity to move ahead… and I would add passion, to carry them through those knockdowns in life.

First thing an advocate needs to do is listen with empathy. I have been a patient advocate since I started working in medical field. I will sit, hear the patient out, and let them know I understand (even if I don’t) I will offer to reach out to other departments or make a call on patients behalf. It’s so rewarding to hear “ Thank You So Much” when a patient leaves my office. It’s why I decided on healthcare.

To be a successful and influential patient advocate, it's essential to be transparent about the challenges the patient and their family may encounter while ensuring their safety and rights. The key is identifying the problem and prioritizing the patient's and their family's well-being. The healthcare system can be complex, so having a team of people advocating for you can make the experience better.

In Ireland, I completed the Patient Education Programme with IPPOSI in 2019, and more recently, on a multinational level, I graduated as a EUPATI Fellow in 2023. Both of these courses helped me to improve my knowledge of clinical trials, health technology affairs, regulatory issues, post authorisation marketing for medications, ethics in research. They've given me a fantastic base of knowledge and experience to draw from as a certified patient advocate, and my confidence in taking part in PPI activities has significantly increased.

The one thing I have found helpful, is to remember your purpose. Always bring your heart to work. When you keep the patient at the forefront, you strive to learn and encourage best practice. To advocate, a person or organization needs to be familiar with the information and become a subject matter expert.

Taking the Patients Rising Master Class, getting involved with their Patient Senate and other volunteer opportunities educate potential advocates on healthcare policies on the state and federal levels. Other organizations like the EveryLife Foundation offer opportunities for learning and advocating.

You do not necessarily need to be certified to be a patient advocate. I advocated for my mother who was in a care facility without no education or training, just a belief in what she and others there deserved. Social Health Network offers a free class on advocacy.

And don't discount your own lived experience as an invaluable education where you can employ your empathetic listening skills and better understand the patient journey.

Support System: Networking provides a support system, offering encouragement, shared experiences, and a sense of community during the challenges of advocacy work. In essence, networking is not just about who you know but about creating a supportive ecosystem that empowers advocates, enhances their effectiveness, and contributes to the success of their advocacy initiatives.

The best advocates already have the t-shirt for their area of advocacy. Experience and passion is more important than knowledge, You can acquire the latter.

I have invested many hours searching for PPIE opportunities etc, so I can gain experience and understanding, and looking for avenues to get involved in other areas I can learn from, signing up for newsletters and creating profiles with agencies etc.

I am involved with Social Health Network and their team helps you find places for experience and networking along with LinkedIn.

most advocates have experienced these trials, events or situations themselves and overcame them. A victory and wants to lead the chance with their skill set. nurse angie

Some of the projects I've been involved in have included NDAs, so I'm not able to talk about many of the consultancy roles I've been involved in as a patient representative. However, all of the PPIE and PAGs I've been involved in get added to LinkedIn.

Building a solid reputation and an impactful portfolio is crucial in establishing oneself as a respected patient advocate. One effective way to do this is by establishing social media presence. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even specialised healthcare networks can be utilised to share insights, engage with the community, and highlight your advocacy work. Regularly updating these platforms with relevant content, achievements, and reflections on your experiences in patient advocacy can help in building a strong online presence.

Patient advocacy is often a confusing term because it encompasses different and diverse roles within cancer care- The voices representing types, treatments, direct patient care, research development and healthcare policy are all critical. Greater collaboration between these groups is what is essential to building sustainable and improved care.

Becoming a patient advocate requires knowledge and experience in the advocacy space that one is working in. Networking with patients and practitioners builds a solid foundation for a dynamic understanding in how to improve patient outcomes.

I am currently in the writing phase of a six-month independent research project focusing on diversity in Utah's health professions workforce with policy recommendations for Utah's legislature.

Being an Advocate, is putting yourself in the place of the person(s) or thing you are Advocating for. By continuing to educate yourself on trends, what's coming, what's not working, etc. Gaining more knowledge is the focus of your advocacy can only help push the cause along.

As a Board-Certified Patient Advocate, I see endless opportunities for learning & growing, especially with artificial intelligence (AI). AI offers tremendous potential to enhance healthcare and drive down the costs of it. I’ve seen it already with my Educational Training & Coaching Programs and my Medical Organizing System. It’s all about getting more done, in less time, with less effort. The integration of AI in healthcare is not just about technological advancement; it's also about fundamentally transforming how we navigate the system itself and use it to save valuable time, money, and energy. To truly excel, we must continually adapt, learn, and evolve alongside these advancements and the ever-changing landscapes of healthcare.

I find that listening to patient and family concerns as well as identifying gaps in care through thorough investigation and comprehensive assessment helps to identify opportunities for advocacy.

Being an advocate for a patient means supporting their needs, ensuring their rights are respected, and helping them navigate the healthcare system. Advocates often communicate on behalf of the patient, address concerns, and work to ensure they receive appropriate care and information. In many instances, people from underserved communities, those with language barriers, or minority status are less supported in the healthcare system; it is those people, we need to ensure have an advocate on their behalf.

I take the time to research the illness and stay consistent in my research, as every day is different when advocating for long term terminally ill patients. I always want to be present with the patient & the symptoms they are experiencing.

Becoming an advocate involves gaining knowledge in a specific area, developing strong communication skills, and actively supporting a cause. Start by educating yourself on the issues, networking with like-minded individuals or organizations, and participating in relevant events. Utilize social media to amplify your message and engage with the community. Join advocacy groups, attend workshops, and stay informed about current affairs. Effectively convey your stance, collaborate with others, and be persistent in promoting positive change.

Take courses in communication and ethics. Supplement this with self-taught knowledge of patient rights and healthcare policies. Crucially, gain real-world experience through volunteer work in diverse healthcare settings, from hospitals to community clinics. Develop a digital toolkit, familiarizing yourself with telehealth platforms and patient portals, as tech-savviness is increasingly vital. Engage in active listening workshops to hone your empathetic communication skills. This career path is a blend of heartfelt compassion and adaptive learning in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Many people instinctively take on the role of an advocate without formally recognizing it. Whether as dedicated family caregivers, supportive neighbors, compassionate friends, or attentive co-workers, their actions embody the spirit of advocacy. Within the healthcare industry, this advocacy manifests under various titles such as care manager, health coach, patient navigator, social worker, counselor, long-term care advisor, and billing specialist. Each of these roles, regardless of the official title, contributes significantly to navigating and improving the healthcare experience for individuals, highlighting the pervasive and vital nature of advocacy in enhancing patient care and support.