What are the best ways to keep the problem solving process transparent in Patient Advocacy?
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As a patient advocate, you may face complex and challenging situations that require effective problem solving skills. However, problem solving is not only about finding solutions, but also about communicating them clearly and convincingly to the relevant stakeholders. In this article, you will learn some of the best ways to keep the problem solving process transparent in patient advocacy, and why it matters for your credibility and impact.
The first step in any problem solving process is to define the problem clearly and accurately. This means identifying the root cause, the scope, the impact, and the desired outcome of the problem. You should also gather relevant information and evidence to support your problem statement. To keep this step transparent, you should share your problem definition with the people who are affected by or involved in the problem, such as the patient, the family, the healthcare providers, or the insurance company. This way, you can ensure that everyone has a common understanding of the problem and its implications, and that you address any questions or concerns they may have.
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Kunta Gautam, PhD(c), NP, MPH
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Patient Advocacy can be defined as the process that helps the patient reach their optimum health benefits by receiving accurate and complete treatment and management. With my public health and nursing background, I have encountered that patient advocacy can be done by: 1) Nurse navigator 2) Public health advocate (who does not have to be a person from healthcare).
The next step is to explore the possible options to solve the problem. This means brainstorming, researching, and evaluating different alternatives that could meet the desired outcome. You should consider the pros and cons, the feasibility, the costs, and the risks of each option. To keep this step transparent, you should involve the relevant stakeholders in the option generation and selection process. This way, you can leverage their perspectives, insights, and preferences, and ensure that they feel valued and respected in the decision making process.
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Kunta Gautam, PhD(c), NP, MPH
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
In the case of neurodevelopmental problems in the pediatric population, a patient advocate needs to explore the resources available. These resources then need to be narrowed down depending on the services provided, insurance coverage, availability, and convenience in terms of distance. One thing I've found useful is also knowing and understanding the vision or style of the approach of the therapy center. The patient advocate can assist in setting up a trial session for the child to see if it is the right fit.
The third step is to choose the best solution based on the criteria and evidence that you have established in the previous steps. This means selecting the option that best addresses the problem, meets the desired outcome, and satisfies the stakeholders' needs and expectations. You should also anticipate and plan for any potential obstacles or challenges that may arise during the implementation of the solution. To keep this step transparent, you should communicate your chosen solution and its rationale to the relevant stakeholders. This way, you can explain why you think this is the best solution, how it will benefit them, and what they can expect from the implementation process.
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Kunta Gautam, PhD(c), NP, MPH
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
In my experience, effective communication is the key. Effective communication promotes transparency. It helps to connect all the stakeholders involved and be on the same page. While exploring different resources, navigating treatment plans, and home care methods, the patient advocate needs to lead the communication, participate in discussions, and construct a plan of care that is tailored to that particular child with a developmental problem.
The fourth step is to implement the solution according to the plan that you have developed in the previous step. This means executing the actions, monitoring the progress, and adjusting the plan as needed. You should also document and report the results and outcomes of the solution. To keep this step transparent, you should keep the relevant stakeholders informed and updated on the implementation process. This way, you can demonstrate your accountability and responsibility, share your successes and challenges, and solicit their feedback and support.
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Kunta Gautam, PhD(c), NP, MPH
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The final plan needs to fit into the day-to-day life of the child and the family. Family needs to be educated and well informed regarding the health condition of the child, the developmental challenges, the areas where the child needs support, and the correct ways to provide that support. It should also be adaptable from a social and cultural standpoint to the family. Once the final solution is created, the details of the plan need to be communicated to all the stakeholders involved. The therapy sessions or intervention can be implemented at the convenience of the family first, then proceed with gradual modifications depending upon the child's progress. Patient advocate can help bridge the gap between different therapists and the family.
The final step is to evaluate the solution based on the criteria and evidence that you have established in the previous steps. This means measuring the impact, effectiveness, and sustainability of the solution. You should also identify and celebrate the achievements, and learn from the failures and mistakes. To keep this step transparent, you should share your evaluation results and conclusions with the relevant stakeholders. This way, you can acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, recognize their contributions and inputs, and recommend any improvements or follow-ups for the future.
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Kunta Gautam, PhD(c), NP, MPH
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Periodic evaluation is of utmost important in any program implementation. Patient advocate can create evaluation criteria while developing a "plan of care" for the child. 6 weeks or 3 months evaluation can be an appropriate interval to measure the progress of the child and evaluate the operation of different therapy plans. The patient advocate needs to communicate and make necessary modifications based on the evaluation. Example: As both working parents, my child needed both speech therapy and occupational therapy while he was in the daycare. In such a situation, a patient advocate can help parents find a therapy place that provides service at the daycare during school hours. This was convenient for me and my family.
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