The foundation of our approach is learning by advocating for patients.
We also emphasize:
- Learner Directed Learning – Learning in a learner-directed environment maximizes learning;
- Taking Advocacy into Practice – Advocacy should be incorporated into everyone’s job description;
- Transdisciplinary – advocacy education complements home disciplinary training;
- Interprofessionalism – interprofessional skills are vital to patient-centered, holistic problem-solving;
- Critical Competencies – preparation for tomorrow’s careers requires critical thinking, values exploration.
Our educational model is learner-directed. While studying at the Center’s Clinical, students decide what skills they need, what experiences they want, and what style of learning is best for them. This includes thinking about how students will work with their direct supervisor,and what projects they will engage in addition to working with clients.
Student Advocates
Our educational model is complementary – this means that learning advocacy skills and knowledge is designed to complement and enhance scholarship in home disciplines. We believe that everyone working in and around the health system is, or should be, an advocate; advocacy should be incorporated into everyone’s job description. For long-term systemic change, we believe that advocates must work both from within and without the health care system.
We have designed an transdisciplinary experience – where students work interprofessionally, e.g. collaboratively with students and staff from diverse professional backgrounds – law, medicine, public health, social work, pharmacy, public affairs, science, etc. – to offer holistic client-centered advocacy. We also believe that collaboration and teamwork bring richness and creativity to problem-solving.
Clinical education allows students to learn from applied situations; patients are the teachers. Critical reflection encourages the integration of new knowledge and approaches. A Patient-Centered approach refers to designing systems and interactions that are response to patients; experiencing the health care system “through the patient’s eyes.”
Core Advocacy Skills
Building Capacity/ Empowerment – helping someone develop skills and abilities advocate for herself or a loved one to make more informed medical decisions, anticipate and manage the financial and work life implications of illness, and find the support and resources necessary to cope and live life under a new normal.
Assessment – A process of listening, asking questions, asking for clarification, asking additional questions, observing, and listening again with the purpose of gathering information so you can best advocate with and empower your client.
Empathy – Identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives.
Listening & Communicating – Paying attention to our client and being effective talkers; including specific skills of opening moments and active listening.
Confidentiality– Respecting the integrity of information shared by clients. Sharing it with no one the client does not explicitly authorize you to share it with.
Student Advocates
Cultural Competency – Openness and skills to understand and value distinct beliefs, practices, communication methods, perspectives and approaches to life, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or language proficiency.
Decision Making – A process of identifying options, sorting and framing, and empowering people to make decisions consistent with their values.
Asset-based, Creative Problem Solving – Analyzing an existing or potential problem by incorporating values, anticipating challenges, thinking creatively and reflecting on one’s approach. Identify and discover the strength and potential of individuals and communities.
Ethics – Communicating and acting in concert with a collective understanding of “right living” in the following areas:
- Trustworthiness (truthfulness, sincerity, candor, loyalty, promise keeping, honesty)
- Respect (autonomy, courtesy)
- Responsibility (diligence, continuous improvement, self-restraint)
- Justice (fairness, impartiality, equity)
- Caring (kindness, compassion)
Collaboration- Working with others to provide more comprehensive advocacy and problem-solving support.
Case Management - Keeping files and recording case information to facilitate efficient, effective, organized advocacy. Communicating in timely, appropriate ways to improve someone’s ability to affect advocacy outcomes.