If you ever find yourself asking, “Should I have a patient advocate?” the simple answer is yes—and here’s why. Life doesn’t always unfold neatly, and when you’re faced with illness or complexity, you’ll want someone who can speak on your behalf, understand your story, and act according to your wishes.
Let’s start with when you might need that advocate. If you’re overwhelmed, confused, or struggling to communicate with your healthcare providers—especially during serious illness, complex care, or insurance and billing tangles—having someone in your corner makes a difference. This advocate can help you understand what’s happening, ask the right questions, and make sure your voice is heard. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a professional, the role stays the same: ensuring you get the right treatment, have clarity about what’s happening, and avoid being sidelined.
So, what is a patient advocate in practical terms? It’s someone trained—or simply dedicated—to helping you navigate the healthcare system. They help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options, review confusing bills or insurance paperwork, ensure your symptoms and concerns aren’t ignored, coordinate referrals or second opinions, and advocate for care plans that respect your background and wishes. In short, they help protect your health, your rights, and your dignity. Research affirms that patient advocacy contributes to patient-centered care and helps address errors and miscommunication in healthcare settings (Healthcare Business Today, 2024).
But advocacy isn’t just a professional service—it’s often personal. Many people find their strongest advocates among family or friends who know their preferences, values, and fears. A daughter who keeps track of her mother’s medications, a spouse who asks clarifying questions during appointments, or a friend who insists on a second opinion when something doesn’t feel right—all are forms of patient advocacy. What matters most is having someone willing and confident enough to speak up when you can’t. Studies have shown that caregivers who participate in care discussions improve communication and reduce patient stress (Griffin et al., Health Services Research, 2022; Gillick, JAMA, 2020).
Healthcare environments are high-stress and fast-moving. For underserved communities, or for those navigating care in a second language, the risks of missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, or poorer outcomes are higher. A patient advocate lifts some of that burden. They serve as a bridge between you and your providers, helping reduce misunderstandings that can lead to errors.
Advocates also play a powerful role in addressing health disparities and bias. Studies show that patients who have an active advocate—especially those from minority or non-English-speaking backgrounds—are more likely to receive timely diagnoses, have their symptoms taken seriously, and feel satisfied with their care (Nguyen et al., Cancers, 2023; Tremblay et al., Diseases, 2021). An advocate can also help document encounters, ask for culturally appropriate resources, and ensure providers understand your needs beyond the medical chart. The presence of a family advocate has been linked to lower rates of medical errors and better follow-up adherence (Pitts et al., AHRQ Technical Brief, 2020).
Let’s also look at the types of advocates you might encounter. There are hospital-based advocates (often called patient representatives or ombudsmen), independent patient advocates you can hire, family or friends trained to assist informally, and legal or elder-care advocates when the issues relate to medical harm or insurance denials.
If you’re unsure where to begin, start small. Identify someone you trust—a family member, friend, or caregiver—and talk with them about your medical preferences, key health details, and how you’d like them to speak for you if you’re unable. Consider preparing a written list of medications, allergies, and emergency contacts. Even a brief conversation about your wishes can prevent confusion later (Macías, Frontiers in Communication, 2023; Buchanan et al., Research Involvement and Engagement, 2022).
Ultimately, patient advocacy is about partnership—between you, your healthcare team, and the people who care about you. The system works best when someone is looking out for you not just as a patient, but as a person (Williams et al., Community Mental Health Journal, 2021).
In short: You deserve someone who knows your story, speaks your truths, and stands up for your wishes. A patient advocate isn’t just nice to have—it can be essential in ensuring you get the respectful, safe, and informed care you deserve.
References
Buchanan, F., Peasgood, A., Easton, M., Haas, K., et al. (2022, February 5). The Research Family Advisory Committee: The patient and family view of implementing a research-focused patient engagement strategy. Research Involvement and Engagement, 8(2). Retrieved from https://researchinvolvement.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40900-022-00335-z
Gillick, M. R. (2020). The critical role of caregivers in achieving patient-centered care. JAMA. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1715921
Griffin, J. M., Riffin, C., Bangerter, L. R., Schaepe, K., & Havyer, R. D. (2022, January 26). Provider perspectives on integrating family caregivers into patient care encounters. Health Services Research, 57(4), 892–904. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9264458/
Healthcare Business Today. (2024). Patient advocates improve health outcomes and prevent deadly errors. Retrieved from https://www.healthcarebusinesstoday.com/patient-advocates-improve-health-outcomes-and-prevent-deadly-errors/
Macías, W. (2023, October 5). Women as American family’s health advocate, guide, or guardian: A health communication practitioners’ perspective. Frontiers in Communication, 8. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2023.1273514/full
Nguyen, K. H., et al. (2023). What is most important to family caregivers when helping patients make treatment-related decisions: Findings from a national survey. Cancers, 15(19), 4792. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/19/4792
Pitts, S., Bennett, W. L., Aboumatar, H., Sharma, R., Smith, B. M., Day, J., Holzhauer, K., & Bass, E. B. (2020, August). Strategies for patient, family, and caregiver engagement. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Technical Brief, No. 36. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561680/
Tremblay, M., et al. (2021). Neglected needs of family caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and what they need now: A qualitative study. Diseases, 9(4), 70. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/9/4/70
Williams, S., et al. (2021). Speaking up: How family members advocate for relatives living with a mental illness. Community Mental Health Journal. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33486676/