Which of the following best defines patient advocacy?

Patient advocacy is fundamentally about ensuring that patients' needs, preferences, and rights are prioritized and represented in the healthcare system. It involves acting on behalf of patients to help them make informed decisions about their care, ensuring they understand their treatment options, and advocating for their rights within the healthcare environment. This can include communicating with healthcare providers, facilitating access to necessary resources, and helping to navigate complex healthcare systems.

While the focus is on the patient's welfare, choices such as providing medical treatment without consent contradict the ethical principles of autonomy and informed consent, which are paramount in patient care. Encouraging medical staff to prioritize their own interests does not align with the role of advocacy, as it neglects the need to support patients' welfare. Lastly, while protecting patient information is essential, restricting information does not inherently support advocacy, which is centered around empowering and informing patients about their own health.