Who works on behalf of a patient and is contracted either directly or via a guarantor?

The independent patient advocate is a person who works on behalf of a patient and is contracted directly by the patient or through a guarantor, such as a family member. This role is characterized by the advocate's ability to represent the patient's interests without any potential conflicts of interest that could arise from affiliations with healthcare institutions or providers.

Independent patient advocates are crucial in navigating complex healthcare systems and can assist patients in understanding their medical conditions, treatment options, and the healthcare processes. They often provide personalized support tailored to each patient's needs and can help facilitate communication between the patient and healthcare professionals, ensuring that the patient's voice is heard.

In contrast, other roles may have different functions or limitations. For instance, healthcare team members typically comprise the medical professionals involved in a patient's care, focusing on treatment rather than advocacy. Institutional patient advocates usually operate within a specific healthcare organization and are primarily focused on resolving patient complaints and issues within that institution. Meanwhile, a healthcare proxy is a legal role that permits someone to make medical decisions on behalf of a patient, usually concerning end-of-life or critical care situations, rather than representing the patient's broader interests actively throughout their healthcare journey.