The Center for Patient Partnerships
The Komen Advocates Training Program
Breast cancer survivors understand the range of emotions and hurdles that new patients endure. Many survivors wish they had the training to help others avoid some of the problems they encountered during their diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment experiences.
Through funding from the Madison Affiliate Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Center for Patient Partnerships recently launched the Komen Advocates Training Program, a new initiative to train breast cancer survivors as patient advocates. These women have volunteered to become the first "class" of Komen Advocates and are currently completing a series of workshops and readings to support their practical case management experience.
Through this program, Komen Advocates-in-training work directly with patients diagnosed with breast cancer to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively advocate for others. During their training, advocates-in-training complete a new curriculum for peer health advocacy. At the same time, advocates-in-training work closely with professional patient advocates as well as other advocates-in-training, receiving mentorship, guidance and support.
Advocates-in-training will learn to:
- Work with newly-diagnosed patients to better understand diagnoses, identify treatment options, and plan next steps
- Help clients make health care decisions that reflect their own values
- Help patients effectively navigate local or regional health care systems
- Help patients communicate effectively with providers, insurers, loved ones and others
- Work with UW professional students, providing perspectives and guidance on their journey toward patient advocacy
To find out more about the Komen Advocates Training Program, contact Mary Michaud, Director of Evaluation and Policy, at (608) 265-6267, or mdmichaud@wisc.edu.
Want to Help?
As the Center for Patient Partnerships grows, you can help educate, advocate and innovate to make health systems more consumer-centered. Though we do not charge for our advocacy services, we welcome contributions to the Center. Please join the mission by contributing!
