What is the primary goal of patient advocacy?

The primary goal of patient advocacy is to support and promote the best interests of the patient. This involves ensuring that patients receive the care and respect they deserve and that their preferences, needs, and values drive their healthcare decisions. Advocates work to empower patients, helping them to understand their rights, navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, and access the resources necessary for their care. This can include everything from assisting with communication between the patient and healthcare providers to addressing concerns about treatment options and quality of care.

In contrast, enforcing hospital policies and regulations, managing patient care financial concerns, or training staff on patient rights, while important components of healthcare services, do not encapsulate the core essence of advocacy. These tasks may serve patients indirectly but do not primarily focus on championing the individual needs and desires of the patient in the context of their healthcare journey.