In my position as a healthcare assistant, peer advocacy is quite important. Peer advocacy is the process of offering support, direction, and representation to people based on common experiences and shared understanding. Peer advocacy for me as a healthcare assistant entails using my own life experiences, expertise, and empathy to speak up for patients and help them navigate the healthcare system. My ability to relate to patients more deeply is made possible by my role as a peer advocate. I can relate to their difficulties, phobias, and worries based on my own experiences. By developing a sense of trust and understanding with patients through our shared perspective, I am better able to connect with them on a personal level and give them access to a secure environment. I take the time to actively listen to their needs, validate their …show more content…
I am able to offer patients information, resources, and helpful advice based on my experiences and the experiences of others in order to assist them in making well-informed healthcare decisions. I inform them of their condition, available options for treatment, and available support services so they are empowered to take an active role in their own care and recovery. I contribute to their overall understanding and give them the resources they need to advocate for themselves by supplying them with this peer-based knowledge. As a peer advocate, I also help to open up channels of communication between patients and medical staff. In order to make sure that their voices are heard and respected, I assist patients in expressing their worries, inquiries, and preferences. I can help close any communication gaps by converting difficult medical jargon into a language that patients can understand by drawing from my own experiences. By encouraging clear communication, I support a team-based healthcare setting where patients experience empowerment and
They also both emphasized that trust is a very big factor when it comes to the healthcare system. The 2023 Global Healthcare Outlook mentioned “However, there is one ingredient that essential to any form of digital engagement, and it’s vital for virtual health: trust” and in chapter 2 of ‘the Institute of Medicine’s Viewpoint on Healthcare Reform’ Stable, trusting relationships between a patient and the people providing care can be critical to healing or managing an
With these seven factors, communicating about health, whether to the larger general public, or in a smaller clinical setting, would enforce a strong linkage between the public and healthcare. The considerations of health communications would allow for a better bridge to health any miscommunication that could occur. With this, there would be a drastic improvement in the health of individuals, families and communities. This has allowed me to reconsider all the factors that are relevant in not only communicating between patient to patient, but also educating the public on health concerns. As an aspiring provider, I hope to find a balance between these considerations in order to secure honesty with patients and the public.
The patients I have worked with have become my greatest teachers. I can’t sit down and flip to a chapter in a textbook that would teach me how to listen to a patient and let their unique history paint the picture of their present illness. A physician that I shadowed told me something that has since resonated with me. She told me how every patient has a story, and you always need to listen carefully because these stories aren’t pointless, they often can lead to your diagnosis. I personally believe the most important member of the care team is the patient; without communicating with the patient there is no chance to obtain crucial insight as to the illness that is presented to you.
I make sure that patients are involved in discussions about their treatment plans so they can work with medical professionals to determine the best course of action. I enable people to actively participate in their own care by advocating a patient-centered approach. Supporting patients in asserting their rights and navigating the healthcare system is another aspect of self-advocacy. I explain to patients their rights to secrecy, privacy, and free, prior, and informed consent. I urge them to raise any issues or complaints they may have by asking questions, getting second opinions, and doing so.
I actively engage in open and respectful communication, ensuring that their voices are heard and their perspectives are valued. I take the time to understand their unique needs, preferences, and goals, and involve them in decision-making processes regarding their care. By working in partnership with patients and their families, I foster a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, ultimately leading to more patient-centered care. Furthermore, I collaborate closely
They accomplish this by validating a patient’s symptomology, listening to them, and guiding them with their expert knowledge of medicine. In other
In my healthcare assistant role, I collaborate with independent advocates to identify signs of vulnerability or mistreatment, report concerns, and advocate for appropriate interventions and support. Additionally, an independent advocate assists patients in navigating the complex healthcare system. They provide guidance on accessing services, understanding healthcare policies and procedures, and resolving any issues or complaints that may arise. By supporting patients in navigating administrative processes and advocating for their needs, independent advocates help to reduce barriers and improve the overall patient
In doing so, I hope that this will provide a better way for me to communicate as well as better understand the needs of each patient. There is an extreme language barrier in healthcare that can impact the care of patients. Quite often, an interpreter is not available, so we take it upon ourselves to try and communicate with the patient. Unfortunately, in doing so, we pose a risk of communication and clinical errors which ultimately can affect their health. Another issue that comes with not having an interpreter available for patients is that they can be sent home before seeing their provider because there is no one there to help break the barrier.
Communicating with a non-English speaking patient is important in providing appropriate care. Using concise communication promotes effective care for diverse patients by eliminating miscommunication that can lead to inadequate treatment. Effective communication of health information is vital in promoting individuals to take action toward their own health (Giger & Davidhizar, 2013). In the following discussion, I will address the biggest challenges in providing care to non-English speaking patients, what my facility current policy on interpreter service and what can be done to improve care for non-English speaking patients.
In the practice of medicine, the quality of care provided translates to the physical and emotional state of a patient. I have heard patients and their caregivers express the care they received in many ways ranging from “my husband is not a lab rat” to “thank you for making me feel like an individual and not just another patient on your list. ” It is incredibility powerful what an interaction can do to the security a patient feels in themselves and healthcare providers.
By actively listening to individuals' concerns, desires, and values, healthcare providers can gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and wishes. Empathy fosters a supportive and non-judgmental environment, enabling individuals to feel respected and valued. This, in turn, enhances their confidence and capacity to engage in decision-making processes. Shared Decision-Making: Adopting a shared decision-making approach involves collaborating with individuals, involving them in discussions, and jointly arriving at decisions.
Often patients can misinterpret information that clinicians tell them especially where there is a language barrier present. When a clinician is giving medical information to the patient such as in the video ‘interpreting the message’ where the doctor tells the patient of possible treatment, Kelley (2015) argues that ensuring that the physician acts as a filter/conduit of information and assessment of risks and benefits is of utmost importance to patients. It is of equal importance for the healthcare professional to ensure that the patient understands and interprets correctly the information that is being relayed to them. If there is a language barrier present between a patient and their clinician interpretation is made more difficult and this can often lead to misinterpretation. Gregg and Saha (2007) describe language as “a simple shared system of grammar and words”.
Watching doctors work together with other members of the team showed me that being a doctor isn’t all about the patient contact but also learning from other medical professionals. Being able to sit in on the handover meetings each morning, I got the chance to see how all of the professionals from different specialities shared information on each patient’s progress which gave an overall view of how the patient was doing. Watching this happen showed me how interprofessional learning is vital to giving the best quality of patient care and also how doctors need the ability
Because of that, my patient will be able to really trust me. Clearly, my personal characteristics match this
In our interview Sissy explained to me the various ways her providers have excelled in every expectation she could ever have and then a few ways they have disappointed her. There are two voices you can express to a patient about any situation. Voice of Lifeworld and Voice of Medicine; According to the text Communication About Health: Current Issues and Perspectives, Voice of Lifeworld can be defined as “primarily concerned with health and illness as they relate to everyday experiences” (DuPré, 2016, p. 73).