Developing Healthcare
Advocacy Skills
“Inclusion occurs when we invite
others to understand our perspective.”
© Kathleen A. Vaughan, Co-Director,
Center for Self-Advocacy Leadership
Partnership for People with Disabilities
Virginia Commonwealth University
Materials adapted from a presentation by Dana
Yarbrough, Executive Director, Parent to
Parent of Virginia
Developing Healthcare Advocacy Skills

The Basics of Advocacy
How to Communicate with
Professionals for yourself
and others


Developing Communication Skills
We
must recognize that not
everyone providing services has
the benefit of our perspective.
Effective
communication
conveys respect for the
individual and the legitimacy of
their concerns.
To
do this, we must become
effective advocates.
The Basics of Advocacy

Advocacy means speaking out
Advocacy
involves great thought and
preparation
Facing
the need for advocacy involves great
emotion and important decision making
Effective
advocates are confident,
motivated, knowledgeable, and tactful
Self-Advocacy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
You are the best qualified to assess
your own needs
You have the right to be treated with
dignity and respect
You have the right to make your own
decisions
You are responsible for your own
welfare
You have the right to the best
healthcare available
Supportive Advocacy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Your are supporting an individual’s
rights
This is a privilege that bears great
responsibility
It is your role to collaborate with the
individual in communicating their
priorities and concerns
Involving individuals in the advocacy
process promotes independence and
their capacity for self-advocacy
By demonstrating advocacy, you are a
role model for the individual
Advocating for a Service
1.
2.
Identify the need or the problem
Gather data to document the need or
problem
3.
Identify decision-makers
4.
Gather support
5.
6.
Develop recommendations to address
the need or problem
Make the case
Common Advocacy Mistakes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Failing to effectively communicate
needs to healthcare providers
Taking an “all or nothing” approach
Not being willing to try a service or
program
Focusing on unproductive approaches in
the healthcare process
Not documenting everything
Healthcare is a Team Endeavor
* Communicating with healthcare professionals
1.
2.
3.
4.
The healthcare process is collaborative
Each team member brings important
knowledge and information to the process
Maintain realistic expectations of service
providers
Trust is based upon mutual respect and
equality
5.
Open communication is essential
6.
Respect individual and cultural preferences
7.
Diplomacy fosters constructive solutions
Developing Negotiation Skills
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Differences of opinion are inevitable
Negotiation is not about getting your
way or about conceding priorities
Negotiation is about reasonable
compromise that furthers mutual goals
Negotiation is based on equality and
common purpose
The most important trip you may take in
life is meeting people half way
Developing Organization Skills
*Effective Advocacy Requires
1.
Preparation
2.
Communication
3.
Mutual Respect
4.
Realistic Expectations
5.
Collaboration
Organizing for Effective Advocacy





Ask the healthcare provider
about side effects and adverse
reactions to new medications
Disclose your allergies and
current medications in case of
potential drug interactions
Maintain a contact list of
healthcare provider staff; know
who to call for specific issues
Maintain comprehensive personal
healthcare records
Know your insurance coverage
Community Resources
Partnership for People with
Disabilities/VCU: 1-828-828-3876
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/
Virginia Board for People with
Disabilities: 1-800-846-4464
http://www.vaboard.org/
Virginia Office for Protection and
Advocacy: 1-804-225-2042
http://www.vopa.state.va.us/
Virginia Bureau of Insurance
1-800-552-7945
http://www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi
Senior Navigator: 1-804-827-1280
www.seniornavigator.com