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.