developing healthcare advocacy skills “inclusion occurs when we invite others to understand our...
TRANSCRIPT
Developing Healthcare
Advocacy Skills“Inclusion occurs when we invite
others to understand our perspective.”
© Kathleen A. Vaughan, Co-Director,
Center for Self-Advocacy Leadership
Partnership for People with Disabilities Virginia Commonwealth University
Materials adapted from a presentation by Dana Yarbrough, Executive Director, Parent
to Parent of Virginia
Developing Healthcare Advocacy Skills
The Basics of Advocacy
How to Communicate with Professionals for yourself
and others
Developing Communication Skills
We must recognize that not everyone providing services
has the benefit of our perspective.
Effective communication conveys respect for the
individual and the legitimacy of their concerns.
To do this, we must become effective advocates.
The Basics of Advocacy
Advocacy means speaking out
Advocacy involves great thought and preparation
Facing the need for advocacy involves great emotion and important decision
making
Effective advocates are confident, motivated, knowledgeable, and tactful
Parenting involves great emotions and heavy decisions
Self-Advocacy
1. You are the best qualified to assess your own needs
2. You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect
3. You have the right to make your own decisions
4. You are responsible for your own welfare
5. You have the right to the best healthcare available
Supportive Advocacy
1. Your are supporting an individual’s rights
2. This is a privilege that bears great responsibility
3. It is your role to collaborate with the individual in communicating their priorities and concerns
4. Involving individuals in the advocacy process promotes independence and their capacity for self-advocacy
5. By demonstrating advocacy, you are a role model for the individual
Advocating for a Service
1. Identify the need or the problem
2. Gather data to document the need or problem
3. Identify decision-makers
4. Gather support
5. Develop recommendations to address the need or problem
6. Make the case
Common Advocacy Mistakes
1. Failing to effectively communicate needs to healthcare providers
2. Taking an “all or nothing” approach
3. Not being willing to try a service or program
4. Focusing on unproductive approaches in the healthcare process
5. Not documenting everything
Healthcare is a Team Endeavor
* Communicating with healthcare professionals
1. The healthcare process is collaborative
2. Each team member brings important knowledge and information to the process
3. Maintain realistic expectations of service providers
4. Trust is based upon mutual respect and equality
5. Open communication is essential
6. Respect individual and cultural preferences
7. Diplomacy fosters constructive solutions
Developing Negotiation Skills
1. Differences of opinion are inevitable
2. Negotiation is not about getting your way or about conceding priorities
3. Negotiation is about reasonable compromise that furthers mutual goals
4. Negotiation is based on equality and common purpose
5. The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people half way
Developing Organization Skills
*Effective Advocacy Requires
1. Preparation
2. Communication
3. Mutual Respect
4. Realistic Expectations
5. Collaboration
Organizing for Effective Advocacy
Ask the healthcare provider about side effects and adverse reactions to new medications
Disclose your allergies and current medications in case of potential drug interactions
Maintain a contact list of healthcare provider staff; know who to call for specific issues
Maintain comprehensive personal healthcare records
Know your insurance coverage
Community Resources Partnership for People with
Disabilities/VCU: 1-828-828-3876 http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities: 1-800-846-4464
http://www.vaboard.org/
Virginia Office for Protection andAdvocacy: 1-804-225-2042
http://www.vopa.state.va.us/
Virginia Bureau of Insurance 1-800-552-7945
http://www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi
Senior Navigator: 1-804-827-1280www.seniornavigator.com