How can self-reflection help you empower patients?
As a patient advocate, you have a crucial role in supporting and empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. But how do you ensure that you are doing your best to meet their needs and expectations? One way to improve your skills and effectiveness is to practice self-reflection and seek feedback from others. In this article, we will explore how self-reflection can help you empower patients and what steps you can take to make it a habit.
-
Claudia Cometa, PharmDI expose the deficiencies in healthcare & elevate the patient experience | Founder at Peace Advocacy Group |…
-
Tanvi ShuklaGold Medalist | Top Healthcare Voice LinkedIn | Clinical Research & Documentation Specialist |…
-
Elise Anna Harris3 x Breast Cancer Survivor , Patient Navigator, Advocate in Science, Pink Ambassador 🌸
Self-reflection is the process of examining your own thoughts, feelings, actions, and outcomes in relation to your goals, values, and standards. It helps you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, learn from your experiences, and plan for improvement. Self-reflection can also help you to understand your patients better, empathize with their situations, and communicate more effectively.
-
Tanvi Shukla
Gold Medalist | Top Healthcare Voice LinkedIn | Clinical Research & Documentation Specialist | Health/Clinical/Technical/Scientific/Medical Content/Copy Writer| Content Editor | Proof-reader
Self-reflection can help you empower patients by making you more aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This increased self-awareness can improve your ability to understand and connect with patients on a deeper level. By reflecting on your own emotions and reactions, you can develop greater empathy and compassion, leading to more meaningful and supportive interactions with patients. This, in turn, can empower patients by making them feel heard, understood, and valued in their healthcare journey.
-
Elise Anna Harris
3 x Breast Cancer Survivor , Patient Navigator, Advocate in Science, Pink Ambassador 🌸
In my experience self reflection is where you examine your own thoughts, motives. To understand all of your struggles. To be completely honest with yourself
-
Dominik Penner
Ein gutes und modernes Gesundheitswesen für uns und unsere Kinder schaffen!
Die Selbstreflexion sollte in Gesundheitsberufe ein ebenso integraler Bestandteil sein wie die Supervision. Es ist wichtig und richtig in sich zu kehren und sich selbst zu fühlen aber auch empathisch aus sich raus und in andere z.B. Patienten zu fühlen. Es ist jedoch ebenso wichtig sich in vertrauter Runde auszusprechen und vielleicht mit Übungen mal die Hilflosigkeit des Pat. nachzuempfinden. So wächst die Reflektiertheit und das Gedankenvolle handeln und es kann für alle ein Mehrwert geschaffen werden.
Patient empowerment is the ability of patients to take charge of their own health and well-being, by accessing relevant information, expressing their preferences, and participating in decision-making. As a patient advocate, it's important to be aware of your own biases, assumptions, and limitations, as well as the perspectives and needs of your patients. Self-reflection can help you recognize and respect the diversity and autonomy of your patients, acknowledge any gaps or errors in your knowledge or skills, adapt and respond to changing situations and feedback, align your actions with your values and ethics, and maintain your motivation and resilience. This can lead to improved patient satisfaction, adherence, outcomes, and quality of life.
-
Claudia Cometa, PharmD
I expose the deficiencies in healthcare & elevate the patient experience | Founder at Peace Advocacy Group | Pharmacogenomics Consultant | Radical Remission Healthcoach and Workshop Instructor | Keynote Speaker | Author
This quote says it all: “I can do nothing for you but work on myself…you can do nothing for me but work on yourself.” Our work as patient advocates requires us to do our own inner work first and foremost. This requires self-awareness and self-reflection. Missing this piece leads to unconscious and ineffective work.
-
Dominik Penner
Ein gutes und modernes Gesundheitswesen für uns und unsere Kinder schaffen!
In der Psychiatrischen Arbeit gibt es den Begriff der Psychoedukation, diese meint nichts anderes als Aufklärungsarbeit beim Patienten über seine Krankheit und seine Möglichkeiten und dies auf Augenhöhe. Der Patient bespricht mit Pflegekraft und Therapeut seine Situation. In der Somatik gibt es die Visite, hier erklärt der Arzt in oft knappen Worten was der Pat. hat und was gemacht wird. Wenn der Pat. sein Mitbestimmungsrecht nutzen will muss er fast schon auf die Patientenverfügung zurückgreifen. Alles in allem besteht Handlungsbedarf, die neuen Technologien bringen uns auf diesem Gebiet jedoch Schritt für Schritt voran.
-
Natasha Hodge
Feed the menopausal body you have. Get the symptom free body you want. This is THE food alternative to HRT. Hey frustrated foody, want to reduce peri/post menopause symptoms with foods you'll love? DM me with "YUM" now.
I use self reflection to empower the patient/client by making sure that they have the right to question my knowledge. I am aware that I do not know everything and strive for continual learning, adjusting and adapting to the current social environment. Their input helps me to improve so that I can serve a diverse range of needs and be able to relate and connect. Self reflection also helps the patient to feel heard and that their opinion is valid and understood allowing them to get the most from the experience.
-
Samantha Wilson
Peer Support Specialist ✌️❤️😁
self reflection would always be first and foremost for me because that is going to help me help someone else because I know the things that I’ve gone through and I continue to go through and I have been lost in the system lost in the cracks however you want to say it and I don’t want that for someone else so I’m going to be a great patient advocate for anyone who needs it.
Self-reflection is not something that happens automatically or spontaneously; it requires intention, effort, and time. To make self-reflection a regular part of your practice as a patient advocate, you should set aside some time after each interaction or activity to reflect on what went well, what did not go well, and what could be done differently. Utilize a journal, template, or checklist to guide your reflection. Additionally, seek feedback from patients, colleagues, mentors, or supervisors on your performance, strengths, and areas for improvement. Be open to constructive criticism and praise. Compare the feedback with your self-reflection and identify any discrepancies or patterns. Use this information to set specific and realistic goals for personal and professional development. Periodically review your goals and track progress and achievements. Celebrate successes and learn from failures; if needed, seek additional support or resources. Repeat this cycle of self-reflection, feedback, goal-setting, and review as often as possible to empower yourself and your patients to achieve better health and well-being.
-
Anne Kim
Co-Founder and CEO at Array Insights
Self-reflection can empower patients by enhancing your empathy, understanding, and communication as a patient advocate 🌟. Practice it by setting aside time for reflection 🕰️ after interactions, using journals or templates for guidance 📖. Seek feedback from patients and peers 👥, and compare it with your reflections to spot trends and areas for growth 📈. Set specific goals for improvement 🎯, track progress, and adjust as needed 🔄. Celebrate successes 🎉 and learn from setbacks 📚. This ongoing cycle of reflection, feedback, and goal-setting boosts your ability to support and empower patients 💪🏽🩺. Let's reflect, improve, and empower together! 🌈✨
-
Dominik Penner
Ein gutes und modernes Gesundheitswesen für uns und unsere Kinder schaffen!
Der wichtigste Schritt der Pflegekraft, um Patient empowerment zu ermöglichen, ist es, den Patienten in den Entscheidungsprozess über ihre Gesundheit und Pflege einzubeziehen. Das bedeutet, den Patienten Informationen über ihre Diagnose, Behandlungsoptionen und mögliche Risiken zu geben, sie in die Planung ihrer Pflege einzubeziehen und ihre Präferenzen und Bedürfnisse zu berücksichtigen. Durch eine partnerschaftliche Zusammenarbeit mit dem Patienten kann die Pflegekraft dazu beitragen, dass der Patient sich selbstbestimmt fühlt und aktiv an seiner Genesung teilnimmt.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Working with PhysiciansWhat's the best way to build a supportive relationship with physicians?
-
HealthcareWhat are the best ways to make patients feel heard and valued?
-
Patient AdvocacyHow can you gain the trust of skeptical patients?
-
Patient AdvocacyWhat do you do if a patient advocate faces a high-pressure decision?