The Patient Advocate Handbook

I wrote The Patient Advocate's Handbook, a content-rich, easy-to-use, quick reference patient advocacy book to offer you, the patient advocate, concise explanations, options and suggestions, which will help you learn about and cope with many of the unfamiliar, but common healthcare issues most patient advocates and their families face at the hospital and at home. This patient advocate book discusses common situations created by illness and recovery to offer relevant information when you need it, so your increased familiarity with healthcare issues as an informed patient advocate will lead to better results for your loved one. Keep this handbook with you to optimize the hospital stay and to have a more effective experience as an advocate and caregiver for your loved one's healthcare at the hospital and at home. James Thomas Williams

Are you suddenly facing a health challenge and feel fear? Are you overwhelmed and insecure? In The Patient Advocate Handbook, authors Liz Crocker and Claire Crocker offer a practical guide to help you remain calm, focused, and stable while you or a loved one are experiencing a health crisis. Combining Liz’s experiences as a psychologist and Claire’s legal and crisis management skills, they present a blueprint for progressing through the health care system. Knowing how to handle a health emergency and make good decisions is essential if you are to achieve the best possible health outcome. It’s not about creating conflict or being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about knowing your rights, having a plan, finding your voice, and working with people in the health system to get a good result. The Patient Advocate Handbook helps you become an effective patient advocate for someone you love while he or she experiences a health challenge. If you are the patient, it will help you feel more confident and assured in your own health choices.

Is someone you love facing a life-threatening diagnosis and you are now thrust into the role of not only caregiver but advocate to ensure they receive the best care possible? Have you found yourself Shocked by the diagnosis, struggling to comprehend the situation, and not sure where to turn for support and guidance? Overwhelmed by the magnitude of taking on this new challenge and uncertain about what these new roles entail? Unsure how to navigate the healthcare system, find solutions, ask the tough questions, and stand up for your loved one as necessary? You are not alone, and you are strong enough and smart enough to boldly navigate the healthcare system! Authored by someone who has been where you are right now and has blazed the trail before you, this book is a practical resource for navigating this new journey with both grace and grit. Inside these pages you will find: Steps for becoming an effective advocate in the healthcare system as a family member or friend Inspiration to believe in yourself and your abilities to fulfill this key role and make a difference in your patient's life Ways to overcome any intimidation you might feel of the healthcare system (practitioners, procedures, forms, terminology) and practical methods for handling any situation Tips and insights for taking care of yourself while caring for your loved one

This description is for the 2017, Third Edition of this book. You've spent a career as a clinician, but feel as if you need to step away from the role so you can help patients get what they really need..... OR... you've just spent years advocating for yourself or a loved one, and now you think you'd like to help others improve their healthcare experience, and make a living doing so. People like you, with heart and great skills, want to choose advocacy as a career. But many lack the business knowledge required to start and grow an independent practice. The Health Advocate's Start and Grow Your Own Practice Handbook is here to help! This book will help you get started with the basics, in an easily understandable way - step-by-step. Whether you're located in the United States or Canada, it will answer questions, such as: Can you make a living as a private, independent health advocate? How much does it cost to start an advocacy practice? How much can you make as a health or patient advocate? What is the Allegiance Factor, and why is it important to idependent advocates? What important details do you need to know regarding insurance, the law, contracts, even the IRS or CRA? How will you price your services and get people to pay you, too? Do you really need a business plan? What professional standards and best practices will improve your service? This book is a must-have for those who choose to start and grow private advocacy and health-related practices including: patient advocates, patient navigators, case managers, care managers, midwives, doulas, therapists, guardians, conservators, life planners, family mediators, disability advisors, acupuncturists, health coaches, yoga instructors, massage therapists, elder care professionals, nursing home advisors, medical bill reviewers, health insurance advisors, medical legal advisors and others. Bonus! Purchase of the book will provide you with a discounted membership in The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates.

Who do you trust to make what could be life-altering decisions on your behalf? Who do you trust to handle your finances, if you're no longer able? Do you have any idea where to start in order to protect yourself?In today's era of modern healthcare, there is a very real possibility that, at some point, you will be admitted to a hospital, whether it is a life-threatening crisis or you simply need routine tests performed.Patient Advocacy Matters, the Ultimate "How-To" Guide is a resource, a vital tool to equip, empower and educate consumers who wish to protect their life, their health, their rights and/or that of their loved ones as it pertains to healthcare and finances. Use this resource to guide you along the path to: *Know your medical rights for different situations*The reason you need a medical power of attorney and a financial proxy*When it's time to ask for help*The difference between a private patient advocate vs other "patient" advocates and why it's important to know the difference*How nurse advocates can be there at a critical stage to advocate on your behalf No one intends to be unprepared in these situations, we simply never imagine them happening before we have time to put our affairs in order. Patient Advocacy Matters delivers all you need to help you plan for the unforeseen should you become incapacitated.As you read through Patient Advocacy Matters, you will quickly understand why this guide must be your primary resource for the answers you need to ensure your preparedness for whatever lies ahead. No stone is left unturned in this guide and you will be glad to have this vital tool to help you organize your affairs in the event that you suffer a medical catastrophe and are unable to advocate for yourself.

As a contribution to the emerging healthcare quality movement, Patient Advocacy for Healthcare Quality: Strategies for Achieving Patient-Centered Care is distinct from any others of its kind in its focus on the consumer’s perspective and in its emphasis on how advocacy can influence change at multiple social levels. This introductory volume synthesizes patient advocacy from a multi-level approach and is an ideal text for graduate and professional students in schools of public health, nursing and social work.

The American healthcare system is vital, vibrant, and indispensable. However, it's also complex, and can be difficult to navigate as an everyday consumer. How does medical insurance work? How do you learn more about the prescription your doctor recommended? How does aging and long-term care factor into your personal health plan? Medical Handbook: A Consumer Guide for Navigating the Medical System equips you with the fundamental information you need to develop a working knowledge of the American medical system. By providing information regarding many facets of healthcare, the book empowers you to make sound medical decisions that support your overall health and wellness. The book provides information regarding medical education, medical and surgical specialties, and inpatient versus outpatient care. Chapters on nutrition and exercise help you understand your role in preventive health. Additional chapters address contemporary topics in healthcare, including mental health, sexual health, the role of marijuana in medicine, and consulting the internet for medical advice. Written from the perspective of a medical physician, Medical Handbook is a concise, helpful guide for individuals who wish to better understand the American medical system.

Learn how to start and grow a private practice as a health or patient advocate or care manager.

"This description is for the 2015 updated version of this book." You've spent a career as a clinician, but feel as if you need to step away from the role so you can help patients get what they really need..... OR... you've just spent years advocating for yourself or a loved one, and now you think you'd like to help others improve their healthcare experience, and make a living doing so. People like you, with heart and great skills, want to choose advocacy as a career. But many lack the business knowledge required to start and grow an independent practice. "The Health Advocate's Start and Grow Your Own Practice Handbook" is here to help This book will help you get started. Whether you're starting up in the United States or Canada, it will answer your questions, such as: Can you make a living as a private, independent health advocate? How much does it cost to start an advocacy practice? What important details do you need to know regarding insurance, the law, contracts, even the IRS or CRA? How will you price your services and get people to pay you, too? Do you really need a business plan? What professional standards and best practices will improve your service? This book is a must-have for those who choose to start and grow private advocacy and health-related practices including: patient advocates, patient navigators, case managers, care managers, midwives, doulas, therapists, guardians, conservators, life planners, family mediators, disability advisors, acupuncturists, health coaches, yoga instructors, massage therapists, elder care professionals, nursing home advisors, medical bill reviewers, health insurance advisors, medical legal advisors and others. Bonus Purchase of the book may provide you with a free trial membership in The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates. Details can be found inside the book."