Compassionate Support When You Need It Most

An independent patient advocate is a professional who works for you—not for hospitals, insurance companies, or healthcare providers. Our role is to help you navigate the healthcare system by offering guidance, support, and resources, so you can make informed decisions about your care. We assist with understanding medical terms, preparing for appointments, managing complex care plans, and communicating effectively with doctors and healthcare teams. While we can accompany you to appointments and help coordinate care, we do NOT provide any medical advice or treatment. Our primary goal is to help you feel heard and supported as you manage your healthcare journey.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by managing your healthcare or caring for a loved one, a patient advocate can provide much-needed support. Whether it’s coordinating appointments, helping you understand medical information, or simply providing someone to talk to, we’re here to help take the stress out of navigating the healthcare system. If you’re juggling multiple appointments, struggling to communicate with doctors, or need help understanding treatment options, an advocate can help organize these logistics and give you peace of mind knowing that someone is working on your behalf.

Patient advocacy plays a critical role in improving health outcomes by ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, timely, and patient-centered care. Advocates serve as intermediaries between patients and healthcare providers, helping to navigate complex medical systems and communicate effectively. Here are key ways in which patient advocacy improves health outcomes:

1. Better Communication and Understanding: Advocates help patients understand their diagnoses, treatment options, and care plans. This leads to more informed decision-making, which has been linked to better adherence to treatment and improved health outcomes.
2. Timely and Appropriate Care: Advocates work to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time. This can involve coordinating with healthcare providers, addressing delays, and reducing the risk of misdiagnosis or medical errors.
3. Patient Empowerment: Advocacy empowers patients by giving them a voice in their own healthcare journey. Research shows that when patients feel involved in their care decisions, they are more likely to follow through with treatment and experience improved outcomes.
4. Emotional Support and Stress Reduction: Chronic illness and complex treatments can be overwhelming. Advocates provide emotional support, helping patients cope with stress and anxiety, which has been shown to have a positive impact on recovery and overall health.
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Supporting Survey:
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A special report published by the Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organizations (CHCAO) in 2023, following a detailed survey of 500 individuals (188 patients and caregivers (P/Cs), 262 advocates and 91 healthcare providers) showed that:

•⁠  ⁠94% of P/Cs said working with an advocate positively impacted their care and 99% would recommend working with an advocate.

•⁠  ⁠60% of P/Cs felt more informed and confident in making health care decisions.

•⁠  ⁠98% of providers said working with an advocate had a positive impact.

•⁠  ⁠63% of providers said advocates decreased staff burdens, and 70% believed they enhanced patient understanding and set realistic expectations.
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In short, patient advocacy enhances health outcomes by fostering better communication, reducing barriers to care, empowering patients, and providing critical support throughout their healthcare journey.

MYNA develops partnerships with organizations across a range of sectors to extend independent patient advocacy and healthcare navigation to the people they support. Each partnership is designed around the organization's objectives and existing services, while MYNA's advocacy remains independent and focused on the needs, preferences, and goals of each individual.