A Psychological Perspective - Essay Example

What does advocacy have to do with providing healthcare? The article written by Smith (2004) en d “Patient advocacy: roles for nurses and leaders” clearly provided the origin of the word advocate as “the Latin meaning is "to call," while the legal use of the word is "to plead" or "to counsel." Counseling or educating is certainly a commonly described nursing role in the definition of patient advocate” (p. 1). Further, advocacy has significance in the provision of health care services in terms of providing accurate and comprehensive information on the rights of patients in seeking medical attention, intervention, or even in participating in research.

As stressed by Malik, the concept of advocacy in providing healthcare actually “draws attention to the notion of legal representation as a form of "agency" which implies the use of a contract. She points out that in the context of a nurse-patient relationship, the "contract" is offered by the nurse and not necessarily requested by the patient” (1997, p. 303). From the reading material written by Barkway (2009), advocacy in healthcare encompasses providing all the information needed by patients to fully understand the services that are to be provided, interventions that are recommended, their privacy and confidentiality being maintained and secured, and that there are options to withdraw from any recommended interventions any time.

These actions should be consistent with the standards and codes of ethics expected to be adhered to by health care professionals within the spectrum of delivery of health care services, as expected from the profession.Reference ListSmith, A.P. 2004. "Patient advocacy: roles for nurses and leaders". Nursing Economics, [Online]. Available at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSW/is_2_22/ai_n17206874/pg_3/?tag=content;col1, [Accessed 06 October 2011].Barkway, P. 2009. Psychology for Health Professionals.

Australia: Elsevier, p. 120-121.Mallik, M. 1997. Advocacy in nursing--perceptions of practising nurses. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 6(4), 303-314.