Empowering Advocates: #ChronicTogether

I was recently asked how did I learn to advocate for myself as a patient. This made me reflect on my career in health administration, where I recognized the importance of patients advocating for themselves early in my journey. In fact, my desire to become a hospital administrator was grounded in an interest to remove barriers and challenges so nurses, doctors and other clinicians could provide the best care possible.

In the 1990’s I saw how ineffective communication could jeopardize patient safety and harm patients. I also learned it was the top reason for patients suing their physician or other providers.

More specifically, my interest in this topic goes back to the early 2000’s when self-advocacy and advocating for family/friends became a topic of particular interest for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) promoted their TeamSTEPPS program in hospitals across the country to improve patient safety. It gave structure to what I had internalized as a teenager working in a hospital transporting patients to and from radiology and later admitting them to the hospital.

Improving my ability to advocate for others and learning the specific reasons it is important for patients to advocate for themselves made me recognize the importance of teaching patients to also advocate for themselves. I did this for years… and whenever I sought medical care for myself and/or family. Then I became a patient with a serious illness — now chronic.

So, what else could I do but advocate for myself? And, as I joined Facebook support groups to learn about managing my condition, I realized that many patients like me were not advocating for themselves or not being effective. This has lead to me leaving comments on the posts of others that help them navigate the healthcare delivery system I know from over 35 years of experience. As I identify trends (the same questions and challenges posted over and over) I write blog posts with additional details that I share with now briefer comments.

Feeling deep appreciation from some of those I help is my reward. But, so is knowing they have a better chance of getting safer and higher quality care.

Today, I’ve transitioned from removing barriers and challenges in the hospital so nurses and doctors can provide better care. I still do some of this in my teaching of healthcare professionals. But, my focus is now on helping patients more effectively communicate their needs to remove barriers and challenges so nurses, doctors and other clinicians can provide the best care possible. I think I’ve added depth to my role as a healthcare administrator and come full circle.

Originally published at https://thielst.typepad.com.