NPAF Unveils Newest Courses in Virtual Advocacy Training

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Caitlin Donovan
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National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), a national non-profit organization dedicated to amplifying the patient voice in support of better access to affordable care, released phase 3 of its ground-breaking virtual advocacy curriculum today. It can be accessed through the NPAF website.

 

The virtual program is designed for advanced advocates to sharpen their skills while being exposed to a variety of perspectives across the patient advocacy community. The third phase of the program, which focuses on co-creating programs, features NPAF executive staff and guest speakers Candace Henley, founder of the Blue Hat Foundation, along with Beulah Brent, chief executive officer, and Alia Graham, director of programming, of Sisters Working It Out.

 

“Hundreds of people have already taken these courses, and we’re thrilled with the feedback we’ve received,” said Gwen Darien, executive vice president for patient advocacy and engagement. “With each module, we’ve tried to not only relate usable skills, but center each perspective in the ideals of equity and justice.”

 

Patients, particularly those in low-resource populations, need education and resources in order to adeptly navigate our complex health care system. However, resources have previously been scattered across several organizations, or focused on in-person events that were often difficult to reach for many different populations. The virtual format makes the curriculum accessible; the content itself is developed with more advanced advocates in mind who want to hone their existing skillset.

 

In Phase 1, learners progressed through the first three foundational modules of this curriculum:

  • Introduction to Patient Advocacy
  • Ethics and Principles of Health and Patient Advocacy
  • Core Patient Advocacy Skills

The next set of modules builds on these foundational principles and courses and includes:

  • Media for Advocacy
  • Story Telling II
  • Health Equity and Utilizing the National Financial Resource Directory

 

The curriculum will continue to be released in phases and will address topics such as preventing and addressing financial toxicity; skilled communication with providers as well as media; equity and understanding your rights.

 

The training is designed to help people be active participants in their health decision-making, along with giving them the tools to advocate on behalf of others. The curriculum, along with full course descriptions, can be accessed here.