Ivy F Oandasan1. 1. Family Health Centre, University Health Network-Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst Street, 2W 404, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8. i.oandasan@utoronto.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although advocacy is a value that is acknowledged among care providers, the definition of advocacy and the competencies associated with it vary among those who teach it. METHOD: Grounded theory analysis was used on case studies of eight physicians identified as being responsive to community needs. RESULTS: Community-responsive physicians were found to engage in health advocacy by working with, or on behalf of, their patients/communities through being either (a) informants-providing information to those who can enact change, or (b) change agents-initiating, mobilizing, and organizing ways to systematically modify policies or procedures that negatively effect patients/communities. Issues of health advocacy as they relate to the determinants of health and health promotion are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides an enhanced understanding of health advocacy and proposes an operational definition of health advocacy that may allow for an enhanced method of teaching health advocacy to learners.
BACKGROUND: Although advocacy is a value that is acknowledged among care providers, the definition of advocacy and the competencies associated with it vary among those who teach it. METHOD: Grounded theory analysis was used on case studies of eight physicians identified as being responsive to community needs. RESULTS: Community-responsive physicians were found to engage in health advocacy by working with, or on behalf of, their patients/communities through being either (a) informants-providing information to those who can enact change, or (b) change agents-initiating, mobilizing, and organizing ways to systematically modify policies or procedures that negatively effect patients/communities. Issues of health advocacy as they relate to the determinants of health and health promotion are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides an enhanced understanding of health advocacy and proposes an operational definition of health advocacy that may allow for an enhanced method of teaching health advocacy to learners.
Authors: Ashti Doobay-Persaud; Mark D Adler; Tami R Bartell; Natalie E Sheneman; Mayra D Martinez; Karen A Mangold; Patricia Smith; Karen M Sheehan Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2019-05 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Sophie Soklaridis; Carrie Bernard; Genevieve Ferguson; Lisa Andermann; Mark Fefergrad; Kenneth Fung; Karl Iglar; Andrew Johnson; Morag Paton; Cynthia Whitehead Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-05-23 Impact factor: 3.240