Be Intelligent
No one expects you to take a crash medical school course after being diagnosed with an illness. It’s not necessary that you understand anatomy and physiology or cell biology. It is important that you know how your own body works. What are the unique features of your body? What illnesses and injuries have you had? What medications are you allergic to? How do you respond to medication? It’s also important that you have at least a basic understanding of your diagnosis. You should know the actual diagnosis and all its particulars. If your specific disease has stages, phases or degrees, know where you are on the continuum. Do enough research so that you aren’t buried in information on your first doctor’s visit.

Be Curious
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it could save your life. Today’s healthcare culture is about increasing the numbers of patients seen by doctors while reducing the reimbursement schedules and insurers increasing malpractice insurance premiums. Curiosity allows you to feel prepared for your consults. It shows the doctor that you are part of the team and not simply a bystander or a victim. Curiosity may even get the doctor to think twice about a test, a diagnosis or a treatment. It tells the doctor that you’re not simply a tourist in this process, but you are truly the CEO of your own health. Curiosity also keeps the medical team connected to you even when you’re not present. They will think about questions or research answers about protocols and outcome studies so the next time you come in for a visit they are just as prepared as you.

Be Assertive
Western culture has created a power imbalance between the doctor and patient. It’s not uncommon for doctors to be put on pedestals, unfortunately that means many fall off. When meeting with your healthcare team make clear your expectations. If you feel a particular test needs to be done, don’t take a simple “no” based on the insurance company declining the request. It’s fine to ask the doctor or hospital to appeal the decision and requesting the doctor to provide additional information if necessary to make sure the test is authorized. If you have specific side effects that you don’t feel are being addressed make a firm request of your provider. Suffering should be eliminated at every possible juncture of your treatment process. This is no time to be a wallflower. Your presence is important, so make sure your voice, your concerns and your problems are addressed.

Becoming your own healthcare advocate provides you with a sense of ownership. It gives you the presence of mind to partner with your healthcare team. You’re empowered to ask questions at every step of the process. Your inner strength translates to improved immune function. We all need an advocate so either step up and take that role or team up with someone who has the experience in that position, but don’t be led down a path without having a voice.

Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates assist their communities with health care plans and the health care system. Advocates are available to patients of all ages and races, regardless of the patient’s condition. These advocates do their part to help those who need help most find affordable care, great resources and good insurance.

The Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates was founded in 2003 by Betty Long, RN, MHA. A few months later, her advocacy grew with the addition of three nurses assisting ten clients. This group was tested in 2005 by 7,500 police officers with a pilot program through Law Enforcement Health Benefits in order to determine the effect of nursing advocacy on health care costs.

The organization was publicized in 2006 by their inclusion in the Pennsylvania Small Business Centers’ Client Exposition entitled, We Mean Business, applauded as one of Pennsylvania’s best small businesses. The same year, the Law Enforcement Health Benefits group expanded their relationship with them as a result of almost two million dollars in claims’ savings during the pilot program.

Since 2006, a number of Pennsylvania based businesses and unions have signed on to take advantage of the know-how provided by Betty Long’s advocacy group. Guardian Nurses has become a certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Long herself has been praised for her good deeds and effective business management, nominated for Small Business Association’s annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award and honored by Glamour Magazine and Tag Heuer North America for her good works in the community.

Patient advocates sit in on doctor’s appointments, and can help confused patients sift through the medical jargon and insurance lingo to find the best course of treatment. These advocates come from the medical field and are well-versed in the world of health care. Former nurses and health care workers are perfect applicants for patient advocacy positions, with the experience needed to understand physician instructions and help figure out insurance claims.

Because of their health care experience, the patient advocates working with the Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates often have resources not available to members of the lay community. With connections to insurance companies and knowledge of nearby specialists, the Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates can provide information and more that can’t be found anywhere else.

Guardian Nurses is based on a solid foundation for patient advocacy, which has existed for decades. Patient advocacy grows more popular with every passing year, helping new generations of patients find the resources and information they need for speedy recovery and cheaper insurance. Because of groups like Guardian Nurses and the complexity of the medical field in modern America, patient advocacy continues to develop. By utilizing an individual who is prepared to deal with the more complicated aspects of recuperation, patients get the best help available.