Effective Advocacy

1. Mary Dawood
Consultant Nurse
Emergency Directorate
Imperial College NHS
Trust.
Effective Advocacy

2. Case Study 1
 A student nurse was sitting with an older patient
when the consultant did his ward round. He said
hello to the patient but addressed all other questions
to his team and moved on. As he was leaving the
ward the student nurse stopped him and very
politely asked him if he had forgotten to talk to her
patient,as the patient was still waiting to hear what
the plan of care was. The consultant did not
immediately respond but then looked very
embarassed and said “oh I am sorry and went and
spoke to the patient.

3. Case Study 2
 A service manager approached his general manager
asking that the flooring be replaced in one of the
wards where many of the patients were older and
more frail. The general manager advised that there
was no funding for such a change .The service
manager amassed all the evidence re falls, associated
complaints and recommended designs for older
patients ward areas. He also enlisted the support of
the matron and went back to the general manager
with his evidence and presented his rationale. The
flooring was subsequently changed.

4. Who are advocates?
 “Advocates are risk
takers who challenge
the status quo:
 A person who
advocates is
substantially different
from someone who
keeps silent and
travels the path of
least resistance”
Royea & Appl (2009)

5. Meaning of Health Advocacy
 The word “advocacy” derives from the Latin “ad
vocare” meaning to call out or speak for someone
 In healthcare it involves proposing or recommending
better options for a patient or patients and
influencing others to be supportive in the interests of
your patient /patients
 The advocate may be an individual or an
organization.
 Advocacy is integral to health practitioner roles

6. Key Principles
 What the patient says
and wants is of prime
importance
 Advocacy empowers the
individual making them
less dependent (Oeseberg et
al 2009)
 Advocacy should help the
individual make
informed choices based
on clear information

7. Effective Advocates
 Effective advocates use
every opportunity to
support the cause or
issue that effects their
patient.
 They don’t let up
 Advocacy is a process,
rather than an event

8. Barriers to Advocacy
 Uncomfortable with the
process
 Don’t feel you are
knowledgeable enough to
advocate
 Not sure how to broach
the issue
 Not sure who can help

9. B

10. How to Build Your Advocacy Skills
 Identify the issue - what is your patient’s
/patients need, concern, or problem to be
addressed?
 Is it an ED /Ward /Social or community
issue?
 Is it an administrative/management issue?
 Who can help address the issue for you?

11. Build your strategy
 Develop your request – make it clear and succinct,
provide a clear rationale and support your request
with evidence where appropriate
 Set goals – what is your desired outcome? What
outcomes or alternatives would be acceptable?
 Consider what compromises you might have to make
beforehand

12. How to get your message across
1. Clearly and
specifically state
your request –
1. Provide a sound
rationale –
2. Explain the
implications for your
patient/patients –

13. Important
Remember, make it:
 Clear
 Concise
 Compelling
 Personal

14. Raising awareness of your role
 Know who your leaders are
 At local/Trust / Community levels
 Make them know who you are and what your
concerns are for your patient /patients’
 Get to know them on an ongoing basis
 Let them know how you can help them
 Show them your knowledge
 Explain how they can help you
 Explain the benefits for all

15. Advocacy Tips for Success
—Be confident. Tell the patients story and
experiences with those you wish to influence.
—Be knowledgeable of the issues.
—Be honest and use plain language; be polite.
—Speak sincerely , but don’t embellish your story.
—Keep to the point
—Don’t give up easily

16. References
 Royea A J & Appl DJ (2009) Every voice matters
:The importance of Advocacy
 Early Childhood Education 37: 89-91
 Oeseburg B,Wynia K,Middel B & Reijneveld,SA
(2009) Effects of Case Management for Frail Older
People with Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review
.Nursing Research Vol 58 Issue 3 201-210