Healthcare Advocacy at the University of Miami

The University of Miami's Division of Continuing and International Education announces the launch of a certificate program for healthcare advocacy. Set to launch in September, 2009, the program will lead the field in providing training for this growing occupation.

With the complex healthcare environment in the United States, an aging population and distance between families, healthcare advocacy is emerging as an important career to help untangle the complexity of the healthcare system. Professionals in the field provide their clients support in navigating the healthcare systems, oversee their medical care, help clients prepare Advanced Directives, resolve medical billing errors and ultimately, empower the patient. They serve as representatives for family members who are unable to be on the scene due to distance or scheduling issues and provide an important communications link between the patient, physicians and family members to result in better quality patient care.

"Healthcare advocacy is becoming an essential service for many families. It can provide peace of mind during a difficult time by reassuring family members that there is someone on the scene who is specifically looking out for their family member," said Marjorie Alfus, the program's founder.

Available courses include:

Methodologies for Success
Introduction to Healthcare Advocacy
Communication
Understanding the Patient Illness Experience
Role of Healthcare Advocate Across the Continuum
Financing Healthcare
Ethical Considerations from Birth to Death

You can read the full article in today's New York Times.