Become a Patient Advocate

The module "The Landscape, History, and Values of Professional Advocacy" provides a comprehensive overview of the field of patient advocacy, focusing on its evolution, core values, and the roles of various practitioners within the healthcare system. It emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care, the historical development of patient rights, and the critical role of empathy in healthcare. The module also highlights the entrepreneurial qualities necessary for effective advocacy and the diverse settings in which advocacy is practiced, from hospitals to private organizations and policy development.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the Definition and Scope of Patient Advocacy:  Gain a clear understanding of what patient advocacy entails, including its aim to improve healthcare quality, access, patient-centeredness, and safety across different healthcare settings.
2. Explore the Historical Development of Patient Advocacy:  Learn about the origins and evolution of patient advocacy, from early cancer research efforts in the 1950s to the establishment of key organizations and certification boards in the 21st century.
3. Identify Key Roles and Titles in Patient Advocacy:  Familiarize with the various practitioners involved in patient advocacy, such as patient navigators, case managers, and discharge planners, and understand their specific roles and responsibilities.
4. Identify Core Advocacy Skills and Entrepreneurial Qualities:  Cultivate essential skills and qualities for effective advocacy, including strategic thinking, communication, accountability, and the ability to manage complexity and innovate within the healthcare system.
5. Recognize the Importance of Empathy and Patient-Centered Care:  Emphasize the significance of empathy in patient care and the need for healthcare models that foster strong, personal relationships between providers and patients to ensure high-quality, compassionate care.

Module 2 of the Nurse Advocate Entrepreneur course, titled "Getting Off The Right Start With Your Company", focuses on the essential steps and considerations for launching a successful patient advocacy business. This module covers crucial aspects of business establishment, from choosing a company name to developing an online presence.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Understand how to select an appropriate business name and complete the incorporation process, including obtaining an EIN and setting up a business bank account.
2. Develop a simple yet effective business plan that outlines your mission, vision, and values, helping to clarify your business goals and target market.
3. Understand the importance of creating an online presence, including website development, domain purchase, and establishing a professional email setup.
4. Gain knowledge on setting up business finances, including separating personal and business accounts, tracking expenses, and utilizing accounting systems.
5. Learn strategies for developing an effective sales approach, including crafting a compelling pitch and building relationships with referral partners.

By covering these key areas, Module 2 aims to provide nurse entrepreneurs with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to launch their patient advocacy businesses successfully.

The objective of the "Networking and Sales Basics" module is to equip participants with the essential skills and strategies needed to effectively build and leverage a professional network, while using sales techniques that are both effective and authentic. This module aims to help participants overcome common mental barriers associated with sales, develop a strategic sales plan, and understand the importance of building rapport and trust with potential clients and referral partners. By focusing on key components such as behavior, attitude, and technique, the module prepares participants to identify and address client pain points, qualify potential clients, and maintain meaningful relationships through consistent follow-up and communication.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Develop Effective Networking Skills: Equip participants with the ability to build and maintain a professional network that can support their business goals.
2. Utilize Effective Sales Techniques: Teach participants how to effectively sell their services without feeling "salesy" and overcome common mental barriers.
3. Understand Client Needs: Enable participants to identify and address the pain points of potential clients through effective questioning and rapport-building.
4. Create and Implement a Sales Plan: Guide participants in developing a strategic sales plan that includes clear goals, follow-up strategies, and relationship-building techniques.

Ultimately, the goal is to enable participants to grow their business by creating and nurturing valuable professional connections and effectively communicating their value proposition.

The "Next Level Sales: Modifying Your Value Proposition" module focuses on enhancing sales strategies by refining and adapting value propositions. This module aims to equip sales professionals with the skills necessary to effectively communicate the unique benefits of their products or services, thereby improving their ability to meet customer needs and close sales. The module emphasizes customer understanding by using story-based sales models and leveraging customer relationship management tools to create a compelling value proposition.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Identify and Understand Customers: Learn to pinpoint and understand the specific needs and preferences of potential clients and referral partners to tailor the value proposition accordingly.
2. Develop a Story-Based Sales Model: Utilize the StoryBrand framework by Donald Miller to craft engaging narratives that resonate with customers and highlight the value of the product or service.
3. Enhance Communication Skills: Improve communication techniques, including the ability to paint positive stakes and call customers to action effectively, ensuring clear and persuasive messaging.
4. Implement Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools: Gain proficiency in using CRM tools to track customer interactions, manage relationships, and follow up efficiently to increase conversion rates.
5. Perfect One-on-One Sales Meetings: Master the art of conducting professional and impactful one-on-one meetings, focusing on preparation, presentation, and follow-up to build strong client relationships and close deals successfully.

This module focuses on the essential aspects of engaging with new clients in a healthcare setting. 

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Build Trust: The principle of "under-promise, over-deliver" is highlighted to ensure ongoing trust-building with clients.
2. Initiate effective initial client contact: Guidelines for the initial phone contact with clients, including listening empathetically, understanding their problems, and demonstrating confidence in the ability to help.
3. Perform an intake process: Detailed steps for the intake process include the initial client visit, obtaining necessary documentation and explaining the value of medical profiles.
4. Schedule an initial Client Visit: Best practices for the first in-person meeting with clients: warm greetings, developing relationships, and explaining payment options.
5. Utilize medical profile: How to effectively use medical profiles for client safety, communication with providers, and organizational purposes.
6. Manage client expectations: Managing client expectations by educating them on the role of the healthcare provider, establishing trust and rapport, and providing clear communication and frequent updates.

Module 6, titled "What Advocates Need to Know: Long Term Care and Community Resources", is designed to equip patient advocates with essential knowledge and skills to support seniors and their families in navigating long-term care options. The module covers various aspects of elder care, including the emotional and practical challenges faced by seniors, the types of long-term care services available, and the financial considerations involved. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, shared decision-making, and education in advocating for the best interests of clients. Additionally, it highlights the need for building a robust referral network and understanding the diverse resources and support systems available to seniors and their families.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the Emotional and Practical Challenges of Aging: Recognize the common fears and challenges faced by seniors, such as loss of independence, financial insecurity, and poor health, and learn strategies to address these concerns with compassion and empathy.
2. Identify Long-Term Care Options: Gain comprehensive knowledge of the various long-term care services available, including homemaker services, adult day care, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home care, and understand their costs and benefits.
3. Develop Effective Advocacy Skills: Learn to lead with empathy, validate and mediate client concerns, and facilitate shared decision-making processes to ensure the best outcomes for seniors and their families.
4. Build and Maintain a Referral Network: Understand the importance of collecting quality referral partners and continuously expanding the network to provide clients with the best possible resources and support.
5. Navigate Financial and Legal Considerations: Acquire knowledge about the financial aspects of long-term care, including out-of-pocket expenses, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and other funding options, and learn how to assist clients in planning and managing these costs effectively.

The "Basics of Insurance and Medicare" module is designed to provide a basic understanding of the fundamental aspects of health insurance, particularly focusing on Medicare. This module is essential for healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and anyone involved in navigating the complexities of health insurance and Medicare. It covers various topics, including the different parts of Medicare (A, B, C, and D), eligibility requirements and the types of coverage available. The module also delves into the importance of protecting patient rights, dignity, and resources while ensuring holistic care through additional support services.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the Structure of Medicare: Learn about the different parts of Medicare (Part A, B, C, and D), including what each part covers and the eligibility requirements for each.
2. Identify Coverage Options and Benefits: Explore the various coverage options available under Medicare, including Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans, and understand how to choose the right plan based on individual needs.
3. Advocate for Patients Effectively: Develop skills to engage with insurance companies, handle appeals, and advocate for patient rights, ensuring that patients receive the necessary care and support.
4. Utilize Holistic Care Resources: Learn about additional resources and services that can support patient care, including home health care, durable medical equipment, and integrative and complementary medicine options, to provide comprehensive and holistic care to patients.

This module focuses on hospital advocacy and medical ethics, providing essential knowledge and skills for patient advocates working in healthcare settings. The course covers a wide range of topics crucial for effective patient advocacy.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of proper introductions and preparedness in hospital settings, including handling legal forms and communicating effectively with staff and families.
2. Develop skills to provide confidence and calm to patients and their families, including persistent and polite questioning, daily follow-ups, and managing end-of-life discussions.
3. Learn to assess and manage anger in healthcare settings, including understanding its causes and implementing de-escalation techniques.
4. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the four pillars of medical ethics: autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence.
5. Familiarize oneself with patient rights and responsibilities, HIPAA regulations, and the basics of medical malpractice to better advocate for patients within the healthcare system.

The module titled "Making the Case for Patient Advocacy to Hospitals" focuses on the critical role of patient advocacy in improving healthcare outcomes, particularly for individuals with chronic and complex medical conditions. It emphasizes the importance of effective post-acute care management, innovative collaborative models, and the significant impact these can have on patient outcomes, quality of life, and healthcare costs. The module aims to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to advocate for patients effectively, thereby reducing hospital readmissions and enhancing overall patient care.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Describe the Impact of Chronic Complex Medical Conditions on Healthcare: Understand how chronic conditions affect healthcare systems and patient outcomes. Recognize the prevalence and financial burden of chronic diseases on healthcare resources.
2. Discuss Key Elements of Successful Post-Acute Complex Care Management:  Identify strategies for managing patients with complex medical needs after discharge.  Explore methods to ensure continuity of care and prevent readmissions.
3. Review the Potential Impact of New Innovative Collaborative Models:  Evaluate new collaborative approaches in healthcare.  Assess how these models can improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
4. Discuss Case Studies That Provided Improved Patient Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Cost Savings:  Analyze real-world examples where patient advocacy led to better health outcomes. Learn from case studies to apply best practices in patient advocacy.
5. Understand the Role of Patient Advocates in Reducing Healthcare Costs:  Examine how effective advocacy can lead to financial savings for healthcare systems. Discuss the economic benefits of reducing hospital readmissions through patient advocacy.

Module 11 focuses on the critical role of patient advocacy in healthcare, highlighting real-world case studies to illustrate the impact and importance of effective advocacy. The module provides detailed examples of how patient advocates have navigated complex healthcare systems to ensure that patients receive appropriate, timely, and compassionate care. These case studies underscore the multifaceted responsibilities of patient advocates, which include protecting patient rights, coordinating care, and addressing systemic issues within healthcare settings.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Case Study Analysis: Analyze real-world case studies to identify key advocacy strategies and outcomes. This objective aims to provide practical insights into how advocates address various challenges and achieve successful patient outcomes.
2. Role of Nurses in Advocacy: Explore the specific role of nurses as patient advocates, including how they protect patient rights, support decision-making, and ensure the delivery of high-quality care.
3. Ethical and Legal Considerations: Understand the ethical and legal frameworks that underpin patient advocacy. This includes knowledge of patient rights, informed consent, and the advocate's role in navigating legal complexities.
4. Developing Advocacy Skills: Equip participants with the skills necessary to effectively advocate for patients. This includes communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, as well as strategies for working within multidisciplinary teams to improve patient care outcomes.

Module 12, titled "Essential Skills for Advocacy Self-Leadership", is designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to advocate effectively for themselves and others. The module emphasizes the importance of self-leadership, which includes developing a positive attitude, openness, persuasion, creativity, resilience, and tenacity. It aims to foster a proactive mindset, enabling participants to set and achieve personal and professional goals, navigate challenges, and inspire others through their actions.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Develop Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation: Understand personal strengths and weaknesses. Cultivate emotional intelligence to manage oneself effectively in various situations.
2. Enhance Communication and Persuasion Skills: Learn techniques for effective speaking and writing. Master the art of persuasion to influence and inspire others.
3. Foster Creativity and Innovation:  Encourage creative thinking and problem-solving.  Implement innovative strategies in personal and professional contexts.
4. Build Resilience and Tenacity:  Develop strategies to overcome setbacks and maintain perseverance.  Cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement and adaptability.
5. Promote Self-Advocacy and Leadership:  Learn to assert one's needs and rights confidently.  Inspire and empower others through effective leadership practices.

The module "How to Become a Board-Certified Patient Advocate" provides a comprehensive guide for individuals aspiring to earn the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credential. This certification is designed to validate a professional's commitment to patient advocacy and adherence to rigorous standards set by the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB). The module covers various aspects, including eligibility criteria, exam structure, ethical standards, and the roles and responsibilities of a patient advocate. It emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, professional growth, and maintaining high ethical standards in practice.

Course objectives - the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the Role of a Patient Advocate: Learn the fundamental responsibilities of a patient advocate, including providing guidance and assistance in health-related decisions without making specific treatment choices or providing clinical opinions.
2. Adhere to Ethical Standards: Gain knowledge of the ethical standards required for BCPA certification, such as maintaining transparency, protecting confidentiality and privacy, fostering client autonomy, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
3. Prepare for the BCPA Exam: Familiarize with the structure and content of the BCPA exam, which includes 150 multiple-choice questions covering five domains and ethical standards. Understand the importance of critical thinking and reasoning skills in the exam.
4. Meet Eligibility Requirements: Learn about the eligibility pathways for taking the BCPA exam, which include having a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in patient advocacy, and completing a self-assessment quiz and providing letters of recommendation.
5. Commit to Lifelong Learning and Professional Development: Emphasize the importance of continuous education and professional development to stay current in the rapidly changing healthcare environment and to enhance advocacy skills.