Overcome stress & anxiety
-
Communicate your priorities
-
Advocate for your needs and concerns
-
Overcome stress & anxiety - Communicate your priorities - Advocate for your needs and concerns -
Independent Patient Advocacy
We help patients navigate the complex healthcare system, understand their rights, and effectively communicate their needs to medical providers. Advocates are not part of the patient's medical team or legal counsel; we are independent professionals who provide support, information, and practical help so patients can make their own informed decisions.
Today, GPs have less time, health technology advances at a rapid pace and specialists have more and more patients to see. This is the reality of our health system. For patients, learning of a medical issue or coping with chronic medical challenges, this time can be full of doubt, worry and sometimes confusion.
It is nearly impossible for patients to hear and understand everything that is shared with them at a medical visit. And often, doctors are under time pressure and unable to explain, effectively, why a certain treatment is selected and why it is the best for their patient. Sometimes, doctors simply don’t ask enough questions or listen to their patients.
Our Patient Advocates relieve the burden. They support you, the patient, and help communicate effectively with doctors to ensure your priorities are held at the forefront of all medical decisions. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed or emotional and are finding it difficult to remember what was said in the doctors appointment. Maybe you would like to ask additional questions, but find it hard to find the best time. Maybe your family can’t attend a visit, no need to cancel the appointment until your family member is available and no need for them to take time off work. This is where a Patient Advocate can add utmost value and can help in all of these circumstances.
We offer Individual Case consultations as well as Gold and Platinum Annual Subscription options.
Individual Case:
2-3 hours
For those that are clear in their need for Patient advocacy. Maybe you have one appointment where you would like support or you are currently in hospital and would like for someone to speak to your treating doctors regarding your questions or concerns.
This consultation will generally require 2-3 hours work from a skilled Patient Advocate.
Our hourly rate of $295+gst applies.
Gold
With an annual subscription you have the benefit of support whenever you need it throughout the year.
You decide when you need your Patient Advocate to support you and provide input to your health journey. You can feel confident that your health priorities are being communicated and delivered whereever possible. Patient Advocate available 8am-10pm
Your Plan:
► Initial consultation to understand health priorities and goals and build health plan. 1.5 hours
► consultations at Psychology& office, online, at home or hospital/doctors visit. Up to 10 hours per year
► consultation with medical team. Up to 4 hours per year
Gold Service includes:
✔ support managing clinical appointment calenders and setting-up telehealth meetings as required
✔ reporting, in simple terms, following discussions with specialists/medical team which can be shared with family if desired (to complement doctors information and reports)
✔ development of Advance Care Plan and Advance Care Directive if required
✔ Psychology individual therapy can be included in this plan ie for anxiety or pain management
✔ Subscription can be extended or modified through discussion at any time.
Subscription: $699 + gst per month for 12 months
Platinum
An annual subscription for those who require a higher level of support and/or are experiencing particular challenges with the health system.
You decide when you need your Patient Advocate to support you and provide input to your health journey. You can feel confident that your health priorities are being communicated and delivered where-ever possible.
Your Plan:
► Initial consultation to understand health priorities and goals and build health plan. 1.5 hours
► consultations at Psychology& offices, online, at home or hospital/doctors office. Up to 18 hours annually
► consultation with medical team. Up to 6 hours per year
Platinum Service includes:
✔ support managing clinical appointment calenders and setting-up telehealth meetings as required
✔ reporting, in simple terms, following discussions with specialists/medical team which can be shared with family if desired (to complement doctors information and reports)
✔ development of Advance Care Plan and Advance Care Directive if required
✔ Enduring Power of Attorney (medical) / Medical Treatment Decision-maker plan working with your legal rep or our partner
✔ Will preparation working with your legal representation or our on-line partner, SafeWilled
✔ Psychology individual therapy can be included in this plan ie for anxiety or pain management
✔ Subscription can be extended or modified through discussion at any time.
Subscription: $949 + gst per month for 12 months
We listen to understand
We listen to your concerns and your priorities for your health journey.
We help you define your health priorities
We work with you according to the topics you would like to explore, plans can include:
a key visit to a specialist appointment
supporting you when unexpectedly admitted to hospital
developing and communicating your Advance Care Plan
We plan your health priorities for the year and are ready when something unexpected happens to help you to respond with more confidence and navigate the health system more effectively.
We communicate with your health team
And when you want us to we communicate with your family.
What is a patient advocate?
The healthcare system can be complex and assumes a level of healthcare/medical insight and knowledge. This can create stress and burden on patients and family members. Patient Advocates can help to navigate the system and remove the associated stress. This means that you can more confidently focus on your health priorities. Our aim is to increase your insight and ability to confidently navigate the system. To help you build the skills to advocate for yourself.
An independent patient advocate will help you to:
Navigate the healthcare system: we help patients understand and get through the maze of complex medical information, appointments, and specialist referrals.
Communicate with confidence: we act as a bridge between the you, your family, and healthcare providers to ensure the your voice is heard and understood.
Understand in order to make the best decisions for yourself: we do not make medical decisions for you but ask additional questions, provide the information and clarification needed for you to feel confident in your own choices.
Coordination of appointment and important health information: we can help coordinate care, find specialists, and source support services.
Resource assistance: we can assist you in finding legal, social and emotional support services.
Please note, what an independent patient advocate does not do:
► Provide medical or legal advice
► Make medical decisions for the patient
► Replace a medical power of attorney or next-of-kin
► Replace family
► Give financial advice