How can you help patients navigate healthcare options?

1 Understand the patient's needs and goals

The first step to helping patients navigate healthcare options is to understand their needs and goals. What are their medical conditions, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments? What are their values, beliefs, preferences, and expectations? What are their concerns, fears, and questions? How do they learn and communicate best? By listening to the patient and building rapport, you can gain insight into their unique situation and tailor your assistance accordingly.

2 Educate the patient on their options

The next step is to educate the patient on their options. Depending on the patient's needs and goals, you may need to provide information on different types of providers, facilities, services, procedures, medications, or devices. You may also need to explain the benefits, risks, costs, and outcomes of each option, as well as the evidence and guidelines behind them. You can use various sources and methods to educate the patient, such as brochures, websites, videos, or demonstrations. However, you should always ensure that the information is accurate, reliable, relevant, and understandable.

3 Empower the patient to make informed decisions

The final step is to empower the patient to make informed decisions. You should respect the patient's autonomy and right to choose what is best for them, as long as it is legal and ethical. You should also support the patient's involvement and participation in their care, and encourage them to ask questions, express their opinions, and share their feedback. You can help the patient weigh the pros and cons of each option, compare the alternatives, and identify their priorities and preferences. You can also help the patient communicate their decisions to their healthcare team and advocate for their rights and interests.

4 Collaborate with the healthcare team

As a patient advocate, you are not only working with the patient, but also with the healthcare team. You should establish a positive and professional relationship with the doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers involved in the patient's care. You should communicate clearly and respectfully with them, and share relevant information and feedback from the patient. You should also coordinate and collaborate with them to ensure that the patient's needs and goals are met, and that any issues or conflicts are resolved.

5 Connect the patient with resources and support

Another way to help patients navigate healthcare options is to connect them with resources and support. You may need to refer the patient to other services or programs that can help them with their physical, mental, emotional, social, or financial needs. For example, you may need to help the patient find a specialist, a support group, a counselor, a home health aide, or a financial assistance program. You may also need to provide the patient with tools or strategies to help them manage their condition, cope with stress, or improve their quality of life.

6 Evaluate the patient's outcomes and satisfaction

The last tip to help patients navigate healthcare options is to evaluate the patient's outcomes and satisfaction. You should monitor and follow up with the patient regularly, and check on their progress, recovery, and well-being. You should also ask the patient for their feedback on their care and experience, and measure their satisfaction and outcomes. You should use this information to identify any gaps, problems, or opportunities for improvement, and to adjust your patient advocacy plan accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?