What is the role of a patient advocate in a healthcare setting?

The role of a patient advocate in a healthcare setting is to support and promote the best interests of the patient. This involves ensuring that patients have access to necessary information, resources, and services to make informed choices about their healthcare. Advocates act as intermediaries between patients and healthcare providers, helping to communicate the patient’s needs and preferences. They assist in navigating the healthcare system, addressing concerns or barriers patients may face, and working to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care consistent with their desires and values.

In contrast to this, making decisions for the patient would undermine their autonomy and is not within the advocate's role. While patient advocates may provide support and advice, ultimately, it is the patient's responsibility to make their own healthcare decisions. Additionally, providing medical diagnoses is a responsibility reserved for qualified healthcare professionals, not advocates. Handling financial matters, although sometimes related to advocacy, is not the central focus of a patient advocate's role. Instead, their primary objective is to ensure that patients' voices are heard and their rights respected within the healthcare system.