What do you do if your Patient Advocacy skills aren't getting you noticed for a promotion?

Developing stronger patient advocacy abilities is essential for medical professionals who want to be recognised and grow in their jobs. Here's a methodical way to evaluate and improve these abilities,  Start by assessing your present patient advocacy abilities critically. Consider how well you are able to interact with patients, comprehend their needs, and speak up for them. Think about your strengths and places for improvement.

If your Patient Advocacy skills aren't getting you noticed for a promotion, consider highlighting specific achievements and outcomes from your advocacy work, seeking feedback from supervisors, and expanding your skill set through additional training or certifications. Additionally, networking within your organization and showcasing your dedication and passion for patient care can help increase visibility for advancement opportunities.

Patient advocacy duty should be committed willingly. The duty provider should be able to control facial expressions as this features talks as well. Listening keenly and talking less depicts a caretaker willing to help.

Stay true to yourself. Strong skills,hard work, and expertise in your role do not always result in recognition. There is often a costly political element to progression upward. Ask yourself what upward mobility means to you and adjust your style accordingly. You may have to "choke" on some of your thoughts and beliefs to progress upward. Is it worth it for you? Be aware of the trade offs you have to make and make them (or don't make them) based on what is most important to you and without judging yourself. But most of all, do not loose belief in yourself if you are not recognized by those above you. It may be that you are doing your work TOO WELL for them to recognize it!

Assess Skills: Reflect on your unique expertise and how they align with the needs and direction of your healthcare organization. Are there gaps you could fill? Continuous self-assessment is key.

Seek feedback, invest in continuous learning, and highlight your impact through measurable outcomes and collaborative efforts. Networking with key decision-makers and considering new opportunities can also enhance your chances of advancement.

Make sure your mind and heart are communicating before your mouth speaks. Speak with reason and not to hear yourself babble.

Patients advocacy is key especially in developing countries where patients have little or no say when it comes to the management of their conditions, this makes it key that physicians advocate for them. This can be done by effective communication with patients about their needs and expectations and communicating such expectations for desired actions. Physicians must aspire to improve their advocacy skills for effective delivery on such an important need.

If your Patient Advocacy skills aren't helping you get noticed for a promotion, you might want to consider talking to your supervisor or manager about your career goals and asking for feedback on areas where you can improve or grow. It could also be helpful to seek out additional training or opportunities to showcase your skills, like taking on extra responsibilities or projects that demonstrate your abilities in a different way.

Request feedback during a one-on-one meeting or performance review, ensuring privacy and adequate time for a thorough discussion. Avoid asking for feedback in a rushed or stressful environment, Clearly outline that you're seeking feedback specifically on your patient advocacy skills. Provide examples or scenarios where you've attempted advocacy efforts but may not have received the desired recognition

Seek Feedback: Engage with mentors, peers, and Directors. Honest feedback is a necessity that guides professional growth, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.

When you are requesting feedback you have to ask for their honest raw truth - constructive criticism can be "soft." You must also remember that feedback is another persons perception.

When seeking feedback it’s important to consider not only our peers, but also the interdisciplinary team as well, as family members. Taking in consideration their own perspectives, can be of great benefit to our practice.

One thing I’ve found helpful is taking on additional responsibilities by volunteering for special projects or committees, mentoring new employees, or taking the lead on important initiatives. Specifically you can volunteer for projects or committees related to patient satisfaction, quality improvement, healthcare education, or community outreach. It depends on your interests and the needs of your organization. Don't hesitate to explore different opportunities to show your willingness to go above and beyond!

Offer to conduct educational sessions or workshops for colleagues on topics related to patient advocacy, communication skills, or cultural competency. Sharing your knowledge and expertise not only benefits your peers but also raises awareness of your contributions within the organization. Document and share success stories that highlight your effective patient advocacy efforts. This could include instances where your advocacy led to improved patient outcomes, increased satisfaction, or resolved challenging situations. Share these stories during team meetings, presentations, or through internal communication channels

Enhance Visibility: Advocate for your patients not just in the clinic, but in meetings, conferences, and panels. Your voice should echo where decisions are made.

I enhance visibility by using my own voice as a patient and how my experiences and advice and wisdom have come from fellow patients that have been in the trenches with me. MDs know how to treat, but they will never completely comprehend what it’s like unless they’ve actually walked the walk.

Yes! I frequently speak up and voice my concerns showing those above me I am determined to create change and benefit consumer outcomes. Also bringing up innovative ideas through emailing management is essential in showing them our strong advocacy and innovative skill set.

Start by identifying key individuals within your organization who have influence over promotion decisions or who are involved in patient advocacy-related initiatives. This could include supervisors, department heads, members of the ethics committee, or leaders in patient experience roles. Actively participate in events, conferences, seminars, and workshops related to healthcare, patient advocacy, or your specific area of expertise. These events provide valuable networking opportunities where you can meet peers, leaders, and influencers in the field.

Network Effectively: Forge GENUINE connections with individuals across the healthcare spectrum. Networking creates relationships that can support and elevate your career.

Always always , do the right thing. Sometimes if goes against the grain of what others think, kindly but firmly voice your reasons and stand up for your patients. It may be you in that bed one and you never want to lose sight of that.

One strength isn't necessarily the leap to leadership. How are you sharing your expertise? Are you offering to mentor or coach others? Are you certified? Are you becoming the department resource? Are you collaborating?

If your Patient Advocacy skills aren't garnering the recognition you desire for a promotion, consider proactive steps to strengthen your profile. Continuously self-develop by actively seeking opportunities to enhance your skills and gain practical experience. Engage in projects within your organization that involve patient advocacy, and volunteer for roles where you can contribute while acquiring valuable knowledge and transferable skills. By actively participating in such initiatives, you not only gain relevant experience but also cultivate a repertoire of achievements to discuss, bolstering your candidacy for promotion.

Identify mentors or coaches within your organization or professional network who excel in patient advocacy or related skills. Seek their guidance, advice, and feedback on how to improve your patient advocacy abilities. Learning from experienced professionals can accelerate your development and provide valuable insights.

I agree. Ensuring our professional development plan is up to date regularly making sure we add in innovative ideas and projects we’d like to work on and education we’d like to enroll in shows management how determined we are in meeting our goals!

An example I have seen in my patient advocacy work is setting aside personal gain for the benefit of a patient 😀 With housing programs designed for those with mental illness, the carrot is housing when the money goes to employing professionals who inspect and those who delegate. The incentive is to put a patient into a system that does nothing for the patient other than make claims on their insurance. Don't get it twisted. YES professionals need to get paid. However, at what cost? "Paper Pusher" a term from the eighties had me shy away from a paper trail YET In military service the absence of documentation meant the event NEVER happened. That's why I encourage all patients to keep any paperwork from a provider including digital copies.

I continue to give my best level of care for patients regardless of being noticed, seek out doctors to make suggestions when they don't fit the protocol, but could benefit from certain therapies. My work ethic has been noticed, appreciated, and respected by doctors and other members of the care team. I set a bar for myself and refuse to slack to make it easier for myself. Watching them improve and setting up for success is such an accomplishment to me. The trust I get in return from interdisciplinary teams and patients/families is enough for me to continue at that level for over ten years. It's all about the patient. That is our job.

It isn’t just about climbing the ladder; it’s about making meaningful change in the healthcare system through your passion and dedication to patient care, innovation and leadership. The goal is to weave your unique thread of expertise throughout the company, showing what you’re good at and how it aligns with organizations goals, making your work stand out.

In the field of patient advocacy, self-assessment is paramount when promotions seem elusive. Success hinges not only on competency but also on personal dedication and alignment with professional goals. It's crucial to identify areas for improvement—be it in communication, problem-solving, or other skills. By embracing self-reflection and actively pursuing growth opportunities, one can navigate a fulfilling career trajectory in healthcare advocacy. Balancing competence, determination, and personal aspirations is the key to unlocking success in this dynamic field.