The primary goal of the PAC is improving services and thereby contributing to improved patient outcomes. By familarizing patient advocates with program policies and procedures, the patient advocates work as liasons to provide a safe mechanism for other patients to freely address clinic issues and to receive a response without fear of retribution related to their treatment for heroin addiction. The population of the 9 methadone clinics administered by the Division of Substance Abuse of the Albert Einstein Department of Medicine is 75 % minority and 50% are HIV positive. The three year old PAC program is led by an experienced counselor who is the Coordinator of AIDS Services. The PAC has regularly scheduled meetings to identify and prioritize issues to bring to the atttention of senior executive staff. PAC members have contributed to the development of a patient satisfaction survey and have implemented the survey. They will enter the data and assist with preliminary interpretation of the data.
Impacts of this program are noted in the modification of the protocol of a federally funded research project, the development of the content of group therapy sessions, and self reports of patient advocates and other patients of increased sense of having a “voice” in their care, and an increased expectation of fair treatment. Clinical evidence suggests increased adherence to the clinical regimen.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to identify opportunities for appropriate patient involvement in a service program, and mechanisms for peer support activities
Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, Substance Abuse Treatment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.