Patient Advocacy Arrives in Spain
For many years now the American public have been taking control of their health and solving problems with the medical system by using patient advocates. These individuals are contracted to fight any battles on the patients’ behalf, cut through red tape, explain diagnoses and options, seek second opinions and generally have the patients’ best interest at heart and be the strong yet calm voice during difficult situations.
However the concept has been slow to catch on in Europe, despite reoccurring frustrations with the health service and consistent reports of poor care, lack of information and no patient empowerment.
Personal experience and professional medical expertise led Cecilia Tacchi to decide to set up as the first patient advocate on the Costa del Sol.
Even though she was a native Spanish speaker, a qualified doctor and haematologist, she was surprised to find that during her pregnancy she was treated like she did not know what she was talking about, pushed into decisions she did not feel comfortable with and had to really fight to make her voice heard. She then experienced the frustration of a paediatrician who she did not feel was giving her son the care she wanted and many barriers were put in her way before they allowed her to change to a different doctor.
When she was researching these problems online she found out about patient advocacy. She registered for a webinar about the method and was inspired to take action. She realised that the large amounts of foreigners living on the Costa del Sol would be particularly in need of advocacy as they have the additional barriers of language and culture.
Since she set up Compass healthcare guidance and patient support she has been putting useful information onto her blog to empower patients with the knowledge to make their voice heard. She will be running patient advocacy workshops to teach people to advocate for themselves and give them the skills, information and language to be able to make sense of the healthcare maze. She has also been accompanying clients to medical appointments, translating and asking questions on their behalf, as well as offering advice and support in putting across views and preferences which may not be the norm within the Spanish healthcare system.
She is passionate about helping people get the very best out of the Spanish healthcare system and inspiring people to not settle for poor care or support.
For more information visit www.compasshealthcareguidance.com or email enquiries@compasshealthcareguidance.com