What is the primary focus of patient advocacy?

The primary focus of patient advocacy is centered on patient rights, which involves ensuring that individuals have the necessary support to understand and exercise their rights within the healthcare system. Advocates work to empower patients by providing them with information regarding their healthcare options, helping them navigate complex medical decisions, and ensuring that their voices are heard in discussions about their care.

Patient advocates are essential in addressing issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and access to care, which are all critical components of patient rights. By focusing on these areas, advocates help promote a healthcare environment that respects and prioritizes the dignity, preferences, and values of patients, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

The other options, while relevant to healthcare, do not explicitly encompass the essence of patient advocacy. Clinical research, healthcare management, and medical billing are specialized areas that contribute to the healthcare system but do not focus primarily on championing the rights and interests of patients as central to their role.