The primary goal of the health or patient advocate is to provide people with the support, information, and resources needed to make informed and meaningful medical and health related decisions.
Patient advocates are sometimes called healthcare advocates or navigators. We work with healthy people to plan for the unexpected as well as providing guidance and support to people with complicated medical issues as they navigate the medical system. We also work with elders and their “helpers” to identify needs and goals along with the supports and resources required.
Patient advocates do not diagnose medical conditions nor do we prescribe treatments. We have different levels of expertise and training in many areas, but we are not physicians, lawyers, or accountants. We work with you and your team of professionals to discover your needs and then put the puzzle pieces together with education, advocacy, and connection to resources.
