Patient Advocate: A Critical Role in Patient Experience

Co-authored by three insightful healthcare leaders who are patient advocates themselves, this paper helps us understand the value of the role of patient advocates in healthcare. Patient advocates remain true to a certain set of principles and a shared value that has been essential to maintaining balance of focus in healthcare organizations. Patient advocates are employed by healthcare organizations with a commitment to ensuring patient voice is heard, yet they also represent the organization in which they are employed, its vision and strategy. The role of the patient advocate is a very unique and special one and can truly make a difference for people throughout the healthcare journey. This paper explores the history of patient advocacy, how it has evolved over time and its relevance to the overall patient experience.