Advocacy in Chronic Disease Management
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Patient Advocacy (Part II) course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Adherence – The extent to which a patient’s behavior corresponds with agr… #
Related terms: Compliance, persistence. Effective advocacy includes assessing barriers to adherence, such as cost, health literacy, and side‑effects, and collaborating with providers to simplify regimens or provide support resources. Example: A patient with hypertension who forgets doses may benefit from a reminder app recommended by the advocate.
Adverse Event – Any undesirable experience associated with the use of a m… #
Related terms: Side effect, complication. Advocates must ensure patients are informed about potential adverse events, encourage timely reporting, and facilitate appropriate medical response. Challenge: Balancing risk communication without causing undue fear.
Age‑Friendly Health System – A framework that aligns care delivery with t… #
Related terms: Geriatric care, patient‑centered care. Advocates use this model to tailor chronic disease management plans for seniors, ensuring interventions support independence.
American Diabetes Association (ADA) – Professional organization that publ… #
Related terms: Clinical guidelines, evidence‑based practice. Advocates reference ADA recommendations when discussing treatment options with patients and providers.
American Heart Association (AHA) – Organization dedicated to cardiovascul… #
Related terms: Guideline, preventive cardiology. Advocacy may involve helping patients access AHA‑endorsed educational materials.
Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) – Medicare benefit that includes preventive h… #
Related terms: Preventive care, health maintenance. Advocates schedule AWVs for eligible patients to address chronic disease risk factors.
Assistive Technology – Devices or software that aid individuals with func… #
G., Glucose meters with larger displays). Related terms: Adaptive equipment, accessibility. Incorporating assistive technology can improve self‑management for patients with visual impairment.
Behavioral Health Integration – Coordination of mental health services wi… #
Related terms: Integrated care, collaborative care. Advocates identify patients with depression that may hinder diabetes control and facilitate referrals.
Biomarker – Measurable indicator of a biological state, such as HbA1c for… #
Related terms: Laboratory test, surrogate endpoint. Advocates help patients understand what biomarker results mean for disease progression.
Care Coordination – Organized arrangement of patient’s health services ac… #
Related terms: Case management, interdisciplinary team. Effective advocacy ensures that medication changes made by a specialist are communicated to the primary care provider.
Caregiver Burden – Physical, emotional, and financial strain experienced… #
Related terms: Caregiver stress, respite care. Advocates assess burden and connect caregivers with support groups or respite services.
Case Management – Structured process of assessing, planning, implementing… #
Related terms: Care coordination, patient navigation. Advocacy includes acting as a patient’s case manager when system navigation is complex.
Chronic Disease – Long‑lasting condition that requires ongoing management… #
Related terms: Non‑communicable disease, long‑term condition. Advocacy focuses on sustaining quality of life and preventing complications.
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) – Systematic approach to delivering coor… #
Related terms: Disease‑specific program, population health. Advocates facilitate enrollment in CDM programs, monitor progress, and address gaps.
Clinical Decision Support (CDS) – Health‑IT tool that provides clinicians… #
Related terms: Electronic health record (EHR) alerts, evidence‑based prompts. Advocates may request CDS enhancements that incorporate patient preferences.
Clinical Guideline – Systematically developed statements to assist practi… #
Related terms: Protocol, standard of care. Advocacy involves ensuring guidelines are applied equitably across diverse populations.
Co‑Pay Assistance – Programs that reduce out‑of‑pocket medication costs f… #
Related terms: Patient assistance program (PAP), financial counseling. Advocates identify eligible co‑pay assistance to improve medication adherence.
Community Health Worker (CHW) – Trained layperson who links individuals t… #
Related terms: Peer navigator, health promoter. Advocates collaborate with CHWs to extend outreach in underserved neighborhoods.
Comorbidity – Presence of one or more additional diseases co‑occurring wi… #
Related terms: Multimorbidity, disease interaction. Advocacy must consider drug‑drug interactions when multiple chronic diseases are present.
Continuity of Care – Seamless provision of health services over time and… #
Related terms: Follow‑up, transition of care. Advocates monitor discharge summaries to ensure follow‑up appointments for chronic disease monitoring.
Contradiction – A specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or other… #
Related terms: Contraindication, precaution. Advocacy includes verifying that prescribed therapies do not conflict with existing conditions.
Cost‑Effectiveness Analysis – Economic evaluation comparing the relative… #
Related terms: Health economics, value‑based care. Advocates may use cost‑effectiveness data to argue for coverage of high‑value therapies.
Culture‑Sensitive Care – Health care that respects and integrates patient… #
Related terms: Cultural competence, health literacy. Advocacy involves translating educational materials into the patient’s preferred language.
Decision Aid – Tool that helps patients weigh benefits and risks of treat… #
Related terms: Shared decision‑making, patient preference tool. Advocates provide decision aids for choices like insulin initiation versus oral agents.
Digital Health Literacy – Ability to seek, understand, and use health inf… #
Related terms: E‑health literacy, technology adoption. Advocacy may include teaching patients how to navigate patient portals for lab results.
Discharge Planning – Process of preparing a patient for transition from h… #
Related terms: Transition of care, post‑acute care. Advocates ensure medication reconciliation and community resources are arranged for chronic disease follow‑up.
Disease‑Specific Registry – Database that collects standardized informati… #
G., COPD registry). Related terms: Quality registry, outcome tracking. Advocates may encourage enrollment to facilitate monitoring of disease trends.
Disparities – Differences in health outcomes linked to social, economic,… #
Related terms: Health equity, social determinants of health (SDOH). Advocacy aims to reduce disparities by addressing barriers such as transportation or insurance gaps.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) – Digital version of a patient’s paper cha… #
Related terms: Health information technology, health IT. Advocates may request that patient‑entered summaries be added to the EHR.
Empowerment – Process by which patients gain control over health decision… #
Related terms: Self‑advocacy, patient autonomy. Advocacy strategies often focus on building empowerment through education and skill‑building.
Evidence‑Based Practice (EBP) – Integration of best research evidence wit… #
Related terms: Clinical evidence, guideline adherence. Advocates promote EBP by sharing up‑to‑date research summaries with patients.
Fall Prevention – Strategies to reduce risk of falls, especially in patie… #
Related terms: Balance training, home safety assessment. Advocacy may involve coordinating physical therapy referrals for gait training.
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) – Community‑based clinics that p… #
Related terms: Safety‑net provider, community clinic. Advocates may refer patients lacking insurance to an FQHC for chronic disease monitoring.
Financial Toxicity – Economic burden and stress caused by health care cos… #
Related terms: Out‑of‑pocket expense, medical debt. Advocacy includes budgeting assistance and exploring charity care options.
Formulary – List of prescription medications covered by a health plan #
Related terms: Drug tier, prior authorization. Advocates review formulary status to avoid unexpected costs and may request exceptions when needed.
Health Literacy – Capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic healt… #
Related terms: Plain language, teach‑back method. Advocacy incorporates plain‑language summaries of disease information.
Health Policy – Decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve speci… #
Related terms: Legislation, regulation. Advocates monitor policy changes that affect medication coverage for chronic conditions.
Health Promotion – Enabling people to increase control over health and im… #
Related terms: Preventive care, wellness. Advocacy may involve community workshops on nutrition for diabetes prevention.
Home Health Services – Professional health care provided in the patient’s… #
Related terms: Skilled nursing, home infusion. Advocates arrange home health when mobility limits clinic visits.
Human Rights in Health – Principle that health is a fundamental right, re… #
Related terms: Right to health, health equity. Advocacy frames chronic disease barriers as human rights issues to influence policy.
ICD‑10 Code – International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, us… #
Related terms: Diagnostic coding, billing. Accurate coding ensures appropriate reimbursement for chronic disease services.
Informed Consent – Process by which a patient voluntarily agrees to a pro… #
Related terms: Shared decision‑making, autonomy. Advocates verify that patients receive clear explanations before starting high‑risk therapies.
Insurance Prior Authorization – Requirement that a health plan approve a… #
Related terms: Utilization management, step therapy. Advocacy includes preparing documentation to expedite approvals.
Interdisciplinary Team – Group of health professionals from diverse disci… #
Related terms: Multidisciplinary team, care team. Advocates act as liaison among physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, and social workers.
Internet of Things (IoT) in Health – Network of connected devices (e #
G., Smart inhalers) that collect health data. Related terms: Remote monitoring, wearable technology. Advocacy may involve recommending IoT devices that improve disease tracking.
Medication Adherence Pack – Pre‑filled, organized medication containers t… #
Related terms: Pill organizer, blister pack. Advocates suggest packs for patients with polypharmacy.
Medication Therapy Management (MTM) – Pharmacist‑led service reviewing al… #
Related terms: Comprehensive medication review, deprescribing. Advocacy includes requesting MTM for patients with complex regimens.
Medication Reconciliation – Process of creating the most accurate list of… #
Related terms: Medication list, transition of care. Advocates verify reconciliation at each care transition to avoid duplications.
Medicare Advantage (MA) – Private‑run health plans that provide Medicare… #
Related terms: Medicare Part C, managed care. Advocacy includes reviewing MA formularies for chronic disease coverage.
Multimorbidity – Co‑existence of two or more chronic conditions in one in… #
Related terms: Comorbidity, disease burden. Advocacy must prioritize interventions that address overlapping needs.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – U #
S. Medical research agency that funds studies and provides health information. Related terms: Clinical trials, research funding. Advocates may direct patients to NIH‑supported resources for disease education.
Non‑Communicable Disease (NCD) – Chronic disease not transmitted from per… #
Related terms: Chronic disease, lifestyle disease. Advocacy campaigns target NCD prevention through policy change.
Patient‑Centered Outcomes – Measures that reflect the patient’s perspecti… #
Related terms: PRO, quality‑of‑life metric. Advocates ensure these outcomes are captured in chronic disease programs.
Patient Education Material – Written, visual, or digital content designed… #
Related terms: Brochure, video tutorial. Advocacy includes selecting culturally appropriate materials.
Patient Portal – Secure online website that gives patients access to pers… #
Related terms: E‑health, personal health record. Advocacy may involve teaching portal use for lab result review.
Patient Rights – Legal and ethical entitlements, such as the right to pri… #
Related terms: Autonomy, confidentiality. Advocates protect patient rights during care encounters.
Patient Self‑Management – Individual’s ability to manage symptoms, treatm… #
Related terms: Self‑care, self‑monitoring. Advocacy supports skill‑building workshops for glucose monitoring.
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) – Third‑party administrator of prescriptio… #
Related terms: Formulary management, rebate. Advocacy may involve negotiating with PBMs to lower patient costs.
Plan of Care – Document outlining goals, interventions, and timelines for… #
Related terms: Care plan, treatment plan. Advocates ensure the plan reflects patient priorities.
Population Health Management – Strategy that improves health outcomes of… #
Related terms: Cohort analysis, risk stratification. Advocacy can influence population‑level initiatives for diabetes screening.
Post‑Acute Care – Services provided after hospitalization, such as skille… #
Related terms: Transitional care, rehabilitation. Advocates coordinate post‑acute services to maintain chronic disease control.
Prescriber Prior Authorization – Process where clinicians must obtain app… #
Related terms: Prior authorization, utilization review. Advocacy includes preparing clinical justification letters.
Preventive Services – Interventions aimed at disease detection or risk re… #
Related terms: Screening, immunization. Advocacy promotes annual screenings for colon cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Primary Care Provider (PCP) – Health professional who delivers first‑cont… #
Related terms: Family physician, general practitioner. Advocates maintain open communication lines with the PCP for chronic disease oversight.
Prognostic Indicator – Clinical factor that predicts disease outcome (e #
G., Ejection fraction in heart failure). Related terms: Risk marker, predictor. Advocacy may involve discussing prognostic information to guide advance care planning.
Quality Improvement (QI) – Systematic, data‑driven activities aimed at en… #
Related terms: Performance improvement, PDSA cycle. Advocates participate in QI projects targeting medication adherence rates.
Readmission Reduction – Efforts to decrease hospital returns within 30 da… #
Related terms: Transitional care, discharge planning. Advocacy includes arranging follow‑up appointments promptly.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) – Use of technology to collect health dat… #
Related terms: Telehealth, home telemonitoring. Advocates may recommend RPM for COPD patients to track oxygen saturation.
Risk Stratification – Categorizing patients based on likelihood of advers… #
Related terms: Predictive analytics, high‑risk cohort. Advocacy helps allocate resources to high‑risk individuals for intensive support.
Self‑Efficacy – Belief in one’s ability to execute behaviors necessary to… #
Related terms: Confidence, empowerment. Advocacy interventions often incorporate self‑efficacy building exercises.
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) – Conditions in which people are bor… #
Related terms: Health equity, social risk factors. Advocacy addresses SDOH by connecting patients to housing assistance or food programs.
Specialty Pharmacy – Pharmacy that focuses on high‑cost, complex, or dise… #
Related terms: Specialty drug, infusion therapy. Advocates coordinate with specialty pharmacies for prior authorizations and patient education.
Standard of Care – Level and type of care that a reasonably competent hea… #
Related terms: Best practice, guideline. Advocacy ensures patients receive at least the standard of care for their condition.
Telehealth – Delivery of health services via electronic communication tec… #
Related terms: Virtual visit, telemedicine. Advocacy includes helping patients set up telehealth for routine chronic disease check‑ins.
Therapeutic Alliance – Collaborative partnership between patient and clin… #
Related terms: Rapport, trust. Advocates nurture the therapeutic alliance by advocating for respectful communication.
Therapeutic Inertia – Failure to initiate or intensify therapy when indic… #
Related terms: Clinical inertia, treatment lag. Advocacy addresses therapeutic inertia by prompting clinicians to review treatment goals.
Transition of Care – Coordination and continuity of health care as patien… #
Related terms: Handoff, discharge planning. Advocates ensure medication lists and follow‑up plans are transferred accurately.
Trusted Source – Person or organization recognized as reliable for health… #
Related terms: Authority, credibility. Advocacy leverages trusted sources such as the CDC for vaccine guidance.
Unmet Need – Gap between current health status and optimal health outcome #
Related terms: Service gap, deficiency. Advocates identify unmet needs like lack of nutrition counseling for diabetics.
Value‑Based Care – Payment model that rewards providers for health outcom… #
Related terms: Bundled payment, outcomes‑based reimbursement. Advocacy may involve negotiating for value‑based contracts that cover chronic disease education.
Virtual Care Coordinator – Professional who manages patient interactions,… #
Related terms: Remote coordinator, e‑care manager. Advocates may serve as virtual coordinators to streamline chronic disease management.
Waiver Program – Government‑approved exception allowing coverage of servi… #
Related terms: Medicaid waiver, HCBS waiver. Advocacy includes applying for waivers to obtain home‑based therapy for stroke survivors.
Wearable Device – Electronic device worn on the body that collects health… #
G., Activity tracker). Related terms: Sensor, health monitor. Advocates recommend wearables that sync with patient portals for activity monitoring.
Whole‑Person Care – Approach that addresses physical, emotional, social,… #
Related terms: Holistic care, integrated care. Advocacy integrates mental health referrals for patients with chronic pain.
Workforce Shortage – Insufficient number of qualified health professional… #
Related terms: Provider scarcity, staffing gap. Advocacy may involve lobbying for policies that expand the primary care workforce.