The Alfus Patient Advocacy Certificate Program

MODULE 1: SKILLS FOR SUCCESSFUL ONLINE LEARNING

This introduction to the program will provide you with a tour of The Alfus Patient Advocacy Certificate online program, an introduction to the online learning process, and help you develop effective research strategies. You will find out how you can interact with your classmates and faculty and you will begin to develop a journal in which will log your experience throughout the program.

MODULE 2: INTRODUCTION TO PATIENT ADVOCACY

Given the complexity of our current healthcare system, patient advocacy is a promising career—both for now and for the future. In this course, we will examine the history of patient advocacy in the US, patient advocate paradigms, healthcare policy, challenges faced by the patient advocate.

MODULE 3: UNDERSTANDING PATIENT ILLNESS EXPERIENCE

Case studies will be used as learning tools as we develop a general perspective on patient illness, including general (acute) and chronic illness, disabilities, the experience of families, parents caring for children and children caring for aging adults.

MODULE 4: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Multiple instructors will work with students to develop skills in listening, assertion, conflict resolution, collaborative problem solving and selection integration. Understanding the points of view of patients, advocate and insiders will be examined. Individual techniques will be developed for students as they use their own communication strengths.

MODULE 5: ROLE ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE

The sequence of healthcare and the advocate’s role will be addressed for each step, from pre-hospital, admission, in-hospital, discharge and transitioning after hospital care.

MODULE 6: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The patient-doctor relationship, confidentiality, professional responsibilities will be addressed as well as HIPAA. Advanced directives, e.g., legal documents that should be in place and treatment decisions involving children and adolescents will be discussed.

MODULE 7: END OF LIFE ETHICS

The process of dying, death, and hospice is important to understand in supporting the patient and the family. End of life issues, bereavement and patient and family rights are included as well as autonomy and reproductive topics.

MODULE 8: FINANCING HEALTHCARE

This unit will cover how patient advocates can assist with issues concerning age, financial status, financing, insurance, out of pocket expenses and resolution of financial disputes.

MODULE 9: MARKETING YOURSELF

Patient Advocacy is a growing career with great potential. Whether you intend to work for a company or yourself, you’ll learn how to build a practice in a field with increasing awareness and demand.

What are the enrollment requirements?

A bachelors degree is preferred with an interest in the healthcare field. However, we recognize that individuals may have had some experience in this area, but might not meet the preferred requirements. Please call to discuss.

This course can only be taken as part of one of the following:

Certificate in Patient Advocacy Online Certificate
Patient Advocacy is a career for now and for the future. An aging America will demand more from a healthcare system that’s become a complex jungle of technicalities and legal ramifications.