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