Patient advocacy, or patient navigation, has gained attention as a profession, both in the media and in the popular lexicon, because it fills so many gaps in the current American health care system. This is especially true as our country continues to struggle with how best to deliver accessible, affordable and equitable healthcare. Since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) in 2010, and despite a decade of Republican efforts to repeal it, there have been positive changes for consumers in how health care is delivered and paid for in this country. The role of patient advocates has played an integral role in helping patients and families achieve better health outcomes.
What is the history of patient and healthcare advocacy?
The concept of patient advocacy in the United States has a long history dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century but gained significant attention as part of the movement for patient rights in the 1970’s. The National Welfare Rights organization coalesced around a patient bill of rights and in 1972 it became incorporated into the accreditation standards for hospitals by the American Hospital Association. In an effort to professionalize the field of patient advocacy, Ruth Ravitch, a founder of the ground-breaking patient advocacy program at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, along with Joan Marks who became the director of the program, established the Master’s program in Health Advocacy at Sarah Lawrence College in 1980 to educate professionals to work in hospitals, government, policy and community and private settings. Since then, many courses and certificate programs have been created to educate patient advocates to work in a variety of settings.
Patient Navigators and Healthcare Advocates:
Who They Are and What They Do
JULY 7, 2020
Patient Navigators and Healthcare Advocates:
Who They Are and What They Do
By Elisabeth Schuler
Founder and CEO, Patient Navigator LLC
Founding Member and Past President, National Association of Healthcare Advocacy
Certified Senior Advisor®
Board Certified Patient Advocate
Member, Alliance of Professional Health Advocates
Updated July 2020
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