What do you do if technology is key to advancing your patient advocacy career?

If technology is key to advancing your patient advocacy career, here are some steps you can take to leverage it: Research and understand the needs of your patients. What technological challenges do they face in navigating the healthcare system? Are there communication gaps, information access issues, or difficulty managing appointments and records? Explore existing tools and platforms. Look for patient advocacy apps, communication tools designed for healthcare providers and patients, and telehealth platforms that can improve communication and access to care.

My intelligence work taught me the landscape is always changing, and technology is no exception. To be an effective patient advocate, I need a 'learn as you go' mindset. I'm starting by pinpointing the key tech platforms used in healthcare – think of it like the intel equivalent of familiarizing myself with enemy communication channels. Online courses and tutorials help me get up to speed without becoming an IT expert. It's about understanding the language and capabilities so I can leverage technology, not be intimidated by it. This knowledge is power when it comes to accessing the data that makes any advocacy effort impactful.

To integrate technology into my patient advocacy career, I initially focused on enhancing my skills through online classes, webinars, and seminars. I found YouTube to be a valuable resource, offering a wealth of videos that allowed me to learn at my own pace, with the ability to pause and review as needed. However, the most significant boost came from hiring a technical virtual assistant. This assistant provided personalized training on specific technologies I wanted to master and offered support in navigating any complex challenges. This approach not only expedited my learning curve but also enabled me to apply new tech skills directly to my advocacy work, making my efforts more effective and efficient.

"As CEO and Cofounder of Diabetes TeleCare, it's a game-changer for advocacy. Traditionally, reaching patients and understanding their needs could be limited by location or even access to appointments Diabetes TeleCare breaks down those barriers. Now, I can connect with a much wider community of diabetic patients. We reach more patients, bypassing limitations, and the data helps tailor our efforts to their needs. TeleCare also empowers patients through direct communication, education, and support groups. We can showcase success stories to advocate for wider adoption, improving access to care for everyone. Diabetes TeleCare isn't just a platform, it's an extension of my patient advocacy efforts.

Telehealth has significantly streamlined my patient advocacy efforts, as it enables me to be virtually present with my clients during their medical appointments. This technological advancement has not only simplified the process of joining consultations but also expanded the possibilities for patient care, allowing clients to receive support regardless of their geographic location. The ability to guide patients through virtual healthcare landscapes, ensuring they access and understand the care available to them, has been a game-changer. It ensures that distance or mobility constraints no longer hinder their ability to receive timely and effective medical advice and care.

Embracing tech innovations has significantly enhanced my approach to patient advocacy, particularly through my work with Chat GPT 4. This tool has been instrumental in allowing me to input and analyze medical tests and lab results more comprehensively. Additionally, utilizing Perplexity.ai has further expanded my ability to delve into complex medical information, offering insights that were previously harder to access. These technologies have not only improved my effectiveness as an advocate by providing deeper understanding and analysis but also ensure I stay at the forefront of healthcare advancements. Keeping pace with such innovations ensures I can offer the most informed and cutting-edge support to the individuals I serve.