How do you become a better leader and facilitator in patient advocacy?

1 Define your vision and goals

As a leader, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve as a patient advocate and how you can contribute to the common good. You also need to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely (SMART) goals that align with your vision and the needs of your target population. Having a well-defined vision and goals will help you communicate your purpose, motivate your team, and monitor your progress.

2 Build trust and rapport

As a facilitator, you need to establish trust and rapport with the people you work with, whether they are patients, families, colleagues, or partners. Trust and rapport are essential for creating a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. You can build trust and rapport by being honest, transparent, empathetic, respectful, and reliable. You can also use active listening, open-ended questions, feedback, and appreciation to show your interest and understanding.

3 Foster collaboration and engagement

As a leader and facilitator, you need to foster collaboration and engagement among the different stakeholders involved in patient advocacy. Collaboration and engagement are key for generating ideas, solving problems, and creating change. You can foster collaboration and engagement by clarifying roles and expectations, facilitating dialogue and discussion, encouraging participation and input, acknowledging diversity and differences, and celebrating successes and achievements.

4 Adapt to changing situations

As a leader and facilitator, you need to adapt to changing situations that may arise in patient advocacy. Change is inevitable and often unpredictable, especially in the health care system. You may face challenges, conflicts, or opportunities that require you to adjust your plans, strategies, or actions. You can adapt to changing situations by being flexible, resilient, creative, and proactive. You can also seek feedback, support, and guidance from others when needed.

5 Learn and grow continuously

As a leader and facilitator, you need to learn and grow continuously to improve your skills and impact as a patient advocate. Learning and growth are essential for staying updated, relevant, and effective in your role. You can learn and grow continuously by seeking new knowledge, skills, and experiences, reflecting on your strengths and areas for improvement, setting personal and professional development goals, and engaging in peer learning and mentoring.

6 Practice self-care and wellness

As a leader and facilitator, you need to practice self-care and wellness to maintain your health and well-being as a patient advocate. Self-care and wellness are important for preventing burnout, stress, and compassion fatigue, which can affect your performance and satisfaction in your role. You can practice self-care and wellness by taking care of your physical, mental, emotional, and social needs, setting healthy boundaries and limits, and seeking help and support when necessary.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?