Patient advocates, also known as medical advocates and health care advocates, are a new type of consultant that help consumers research diagnoses, find specialists, and learn options. They guide patients and their families through our labyrinthine health care system and help empower them to take charge of their healthcare. What they do may involve helping a patient define healthcare goals or something as small as setting the agenda and goals for a meeting with a new doctor. The article offers up several examples of how patient advocates have helped consumers and/or their families manage their diagnosis and/or care. This article focused on independent patient advocates who answer to the client only.
