Meet Our Team – Patient Advocates
by Raiili Pellizzari
Meet key members of our Patient and Family Centred Care team — Patient Advocates, Victoria and Terah.Meet key members of our Patient and Family Centred Care team — Patient Advocates, Victoria and Terah.
After many years of working in most clinical areas of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), Terah and Victoria eagerly transitioned to the Patient Advocate role. They are both driven by a commitment to guide clinical decisions with respect for individual patient and family preferences, needs, and values. They focus on creating a caring environment and providing holistic care, continually enhancing their practice. By collaborating with patients, families, and all interdisciplinary teams, they strive to achieve the best outcomes while assisting their patients and families in navigating the health care system. They are dedicated to ensuring exceptional care for every patient, every time.
Patient Advocates at TBRHSC have a background in nursing. They bring experience from nursing and health care administration, which equips them to understand the complexities of patient care in our region and to effectively communicate with health care providers, patients and families.
The Patient Advocate acts as a liaison between patients, their families, and the health care team. They help navigate the health care system, address concerns, and ensure that patients’ voices are heard. Their goal is to enhance patient satisfaction and improve the overall patient experience.
A typical day for a Patient Advocate may involve:
- Meeting with patients and families to discuss their concerns and needs.
- Collaborating with health care teams to resolve issues and improve care.
- Providing education to patients and families about their rights and available resources.
- Assisting with the coordination of care and discharge planning.
- Documenting patient interactions and follow-up actions.
Throughout the week, the Advocate may attend departmental meetings, participate in quality improvement initiatives, and engage in ongoing training to stay current with best practices in patient advocacy.
The Patient Advocate’s role is vital in ensuring that patient care is patient- and family-centered. Find out more about Patient and Family Centred Care at https://tbrhsc.net/home/caring-for-patients-families/.
