Patient advocacy

[Radiant3]

Patient advocacy was an important theme in this book and one that resonated with me as someone living with invisible chronic illnesses and disability. Some quotes that stood out to me are:

• Learning to stand up for oneself, learning to complain on one’s own behalf, even when justified in depth, is one of life’s most needed and most difficult skills. It requires emotional and verbal competence. Even confident people don't always do it well, especially if they have been living in a perpetual state of high anxiety and stress.

• Traditionally in the West, there were rigid barriers between doctor and patient or patient’s family. Timidity yielded to authority; anxiety bowed to formality; the white coat ruled. … we became a valuable part of the team delivering the very best care to a young patient fighting for his life.

I’d love to hear other people’s thoughts about the patient advocacy themes in this book.

The two statements also stood out to me, especially the first one. I thought the strong position of advocacy on behalf of Louis by his parents made a huge difference in the level of attention and treatment he received.

[Mara Valentina]

The book emphasizes the role of patient advocacy in empowering patients and their families to become active participants in their care. The Ungers took an active role in Louis's treatment decisions, advocating for therapies that they believed could offer hope for their son. The story of Louis Unger and his family demonstrates how patient advocates can play a pivotal role in advancing medical research, raising awareness, empowering patients, and ultimately improving the lives of children fighting cancer.

[Ophiohonren Hiram]

A quote I'm familiar with says "People suffer for lack of knowledge." If one cannot advocate for themselves for any reason, there should always be a support system, family, friends whose involvement would make a lot of difference.

[Tommy Mayengbam]

I'm currently reading a book where a cancer patient's family member's question played a pivotal role in helping doctors find a solution when things seemed almost hopeless.

Rather than blindly following a doctor's advice, patients and their families should engage in thorough research and ask plenty of questions.

Patient advocacy empowers both patients and their families to make well-informed decisions about their conditions. Also, transparent communication between patients and healthcare providers contributes significantly to effective treatment.

[Rendell Vosson]

Patients who are in the prime of their lives should be able to advocate for themselves. They should take charge of their lives and fight for it.

[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

I think transparency is everything. Doctors don't always know what's best for the patient, and if they could communicate with them, that could easily be provided. So communication really opens the way for the advocacy is a civilised manner.

[Conshelle Dwight William]

It's crucial to advocate for oneself in healthcare settings. Medical professionals, while well-intentioned, may not always communicate effectively with patients. Despite potential medical jargon, patients deserve to understand their care. Persistent questioning may be bothersome, but it is a patient's right to be informed. Mark and Mary Ellen exemplified this by advocating for their son. Health practitioners who listen and respect their patients' knowledge of their own bodies, like Emma's GP, are invaluable, especially for those with chronic or rare disorders.

[Onyinyechi Obi]

Patients should take the initiative to manage their own care, if at all feasible. You must remain vigilant and conduct as much research as you can. Sadly, some elderly or terminally ill people are unable to accomplish it. Youngsters require their parents to speak up for them because they are unable to comprehend the situation.

[Loretta Morris 1]

Hi!
It is important to advocate for yourself and others when necessary. It is important to be involved in your plan of care. You should know the type of medicines you take and the dosage. Keep up with all appointments. Sometimes doctors will communicate with patients in medical terms. Do not be ashamed to ask them to explain it so you can understand it. Take down notes, if you need to, from the doctor so instructions and information is clear. Do not be afraid to ask for second or third opinions about your medical issue. Always ask questions. No question is a silly question.