How do you advocate for a patient who feels their needs are not being met by the healthcare system?

To advocate for your client, you need to understand what they are wanting from their healthcare, while remembering that the decisions they make may be different from what you would choose for yourself if you were in the same situation. Once you are aware of what they are wanting from their healthcare you can gather objective information about what aspect is not being met and assist them to develop a plan for how to address their concerns.

Mrs. X, a dedicated nurse, noticed her patient, Mr. Y, struggling with worsening heart failure symptoms and medication management. After listening to his concerns and reviewing his treatment plan, she advocated for him during a care team meeting. Mrs. X suggested simplifying his medication regimen and involving a dietitian. Her efforts led to a revised treatment plan and additional home health support, resulting in significant improvement in Mr. Y's health and confidence in managing his condition.

It is important to empower patients with information about their health to help them make informed decisions. Actively listen to their concerns and acknowledge cultural factors that may affect their experience in healthcare. For example, patients with Sickle Cell Disorder from an African or Carribean background may face challenges and biases unique to them. They may feel their pain is not taken seriously due to the stereotypes about pain thresholds/tolerance in various racial groups. It is important to show empathy, listen while validating their experiences and feelings. This supports advocacy while also building on their self advocacy skills

As a nurse, I advocated for a patient recovering from hip replacement surgery who was experiencing severe pain. Despite her current medication, her pain was uncontrolled, making physical therapy challenging. I approached Dr. X, acknowledging his care, and expressed my concerns. "The patient's pain is an 8 out of 10, and she's struggling. Could we adjust her medication or explore other strategies?" Dr. X listened, and we collaborated to adjust her pain management plan, consulting a specialist. The patient's pain decreased, enabling her to engage in her recovery.

An example I have seen is during the preparation of teenagers transitioning to the adult service. To enable and encourage self-advocacy, they need to be empowered with the right information to enable them take ownership of their health. To enable patients assert their needs, we should teach patients how to communicate their needs and views clearly, provide resources and how to navigate healthcare services/systems. This will help build patients confidence. I have found with the teenagers, role play helps with practicing assertiveness as they learn not only how to communicate clearly but also how to handle potential pushbacks during these discussions. This is applicable to teenagers. Young adults well into adulthood.