Best Patient Advocacy provides research, data on clinical resources, and information to use when seeking a diagnosis or selecting a treatment.
Best Patient Advocacy serve patients and their families as they travel through the health care system, whether seeking to maintain health or to return to health.
Also known as health advocates, patient navigators, care coordinators, care managers or case managers, the roles of patient advocates vary, depending on the needs of the client and the client’s family. For instance, a patient with a new diagnosis of cancer will have many questions and needs, some of which may seem insurmountable. Initially, the patient advocate can help the client and family understand the diagnosis, and select the best treatment plan for the client. Then, the patient advocate can facilitate the many appointments needed, help to arrange second opinions and follow-up care, and help select rehabilitation facilities and home care, if needed. The involvement of the patient advocate can be for a long or short period, whichever is needed by the client and her family. The patient advocate’s involvement is determined by the client – not by the patient advocate.
One of the most important characteristics of an independent patient advocate is that the patient advocate doesn’t work for the insurance company, or the hospital, or any other entity. The patient advocate works for the patient. There are no conflicts of interest in this relationship.
While Best Patient Advocacy does not give second opinions or make recommendations, we can help you make sense of the information you have and help you work with your health care providers more effectively. Best Patient Advocacy acts as a consultant to you and your family; we do not provide direct, hands-on health care, medical diagnosis, or treatment of any type. Always check with your healthcare team before making medical decisions.
