Healthcare Advocacy

Case Study # 114248

Medical and Health > Public Health Issues
Sociology > Welfare

Healthcare Advocacy

A discussion of the role of healthcare advocacy in the healthcare system of the United States.

1,055 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that the Mount Sinai Medical Center Resource, Entitlement and Advocacy Program (REAP) is responsible for assisting patients in obtaining and maintaining healthcare access. The paper presents a case study of a woman referred to REAP that demonstrates the need for healthcare advocacy. The paper looks at the need for awareness and the importance of promoting the profession of healthcare advocacy.

Outline:
Mount Sinai Medical Center Resource, Entitlement and Advocacy Program (R.E.A.P.)
Case Study
Limited Healthcare Advocacy
Strategies to Improve Access to Healthcare by Advocacy
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The healthcare system is difficult to navigate in the current managed care driven healthcare industry. In a healthcare system as large and complex as in the United States, patients are often unaware of the services that healthcare advocacy offer. Healthcare advocacy can be described as a safety net for patients who need quality healthcare but have the perception that help is not available. Healthcare advocacy can be found in a variety of settings, such as social services in long-term care centers and hospitals, nonprofit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, and private healthcare advocacy firms that charge a direct fee for services needed. Healthcare advocacy is a relatively new concept in patient services. According to Abigail Jefferies of the Healthcare Ledger, "The healthcare advocacy profession is unregulated and anyone can claim to be a healthcare advocate." (Jefferies 2008)"

Sample of Sources Used:

Swartz, P. J., (2003) Advocacy in Healthcare, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Retrieved November 22, 2008 from http://www.naswnyc.org/Advocacy.htm
Patient Advocate Act of 2008. (2008, September 25). Retrieved November 25, 2008 from http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h7079/show
Jefferies, A., (2008) The Face of Private Health Care Advocacy, Healthcare Ledger, p4