Patients Want to Advocate For Themselves - Here's How They Can

Patient Advocate Foundation Releases New, Free Online Tutorials

HAMPTON, Va., March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Patient Advocate Foundation announced two new additions to their highly acclaimed Advocacy Curriculum, available immediately and specifically designed to help everyday people navigate an increasingly difficult health care system.

The two new modules—"How to Find the Health Care Team that Works for You" and "Your Health Care Your Way, A Guide to Making Informed Designs" feature advocates with direct subject matter expertise.

"Each year, patients and caregivers ask us questions about how to better communicate with their providers and find the resources they need. Through these modules, anyone can start to get better results right away," said Jamie Trotter, MPA, associate director, patient advocacy and engagement at the Patient Advocate Foundation.

About the Modules

How to Find the Health Care Team That Works for You

In this module, users will learn to identify, build and maintain a health care team that aligns with their unique needs, preferences and health goals. This module focuses on empowering patients to take an active role in selecting providers who support their well-being.

Module topics Include:

• Empowering patients in health care
• Incorporating personal preferences in health care
• Building a supportive, collaborative health care team

About the faculty: Emily Brown is the patient education content and project manager at the Patient Advocate Foundation. With a background in social work, she has committed her career to helping people overcome obstacles to effective and equitable health care through education.

Your Health Care Your Way, A Guide to Making Informed Decisions

Users in this module will learn to take control of their health care by making informed, confident decisions. "Your Health Care, Your Way" emphasizes patient autonomy, providing tools and strategies to navigate the health care system effectively. Users wil learn to take a proactive approach to health care, and to make decisions that are well-informed, personalized and reflective of their health goals.

Module topics include:

• The importance of patient empowerment in health care
• How to take an active role in health care decisions
• Health literacy and how to ask questions
• How to understand medical information
• Tools for communicating effectively with your health care provider
• The role of patient advocates and how to connect with them
• Building a support system
• Resources for emotional and mental health support

About the faculty: Sarah Greene, M.P.H., is a consultant and senior advisor to the National Academy of Medicine. With a 25-year career in health care research, strategy and consultation, she combines scientific and methodological expertise with a patient-centered orientation to support the realization of a true national learning health system.

The modules can be found on the Patient Advocate Foundation website, www.patientadvocate.org, and can be taken in conjunction with the extensive library of advocacy curricula or independently.

Media Contact:
Caitlin Donovan
[email protected]
(202) 465-5113

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SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation