Katherine Konnert

HCMT1005, 001

Patient Advocacy and Patient Navigation in the Future of Health

Information Management
Although the health information management profession has
existed for over eighty years, the field is constantly changing
(AHIMA, 2015).

The future roles of HIM professionals will

correspond to the complicated transformation of Americas

healthcare system, with its continuous technological updates,
including the development and use of the electronic health
record. Increasing attention on the functional area of data
stewardship, aligned with the code of ethics, will reveal
emerging roles in patient advocacy, as illustrated by the HIM
core model (Amatayakul, et al., 2013).
Patient Advocacy and Patient Navigation
Patients are given more responsibility and rights to control
their health information by legislation like HIPAA and technology
like electronic health records and patient portals.

As a result,

the importance of health literacy, defined by the federal

government as, the degree to which individuals have the capacity
to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and
services needed to make appropriate health decisions, will
continue to intensify (AMA, 2015).

However, many patients,

especially those with disparities, lack this knowledge along with

Katherine Konnert
HCMT1005, 001

the ability to independently take an active role in making

healthcare decisions (Enard, Jones, Natale-Pereira, & Nevarez,
2011).

They may be unfamiliar with seeking care, understanding

medical information, or have financial pressures and cultural

barriers (Dolan, Wolter, & Heet, 2010).

All four issues which

the Affordable Care Act addresses as important to reducing health

disparities may be successfully addressed through patient
navigation and patient advocacy: early detection; health care
access and documentation; insurance coverage; diversity and
cultural competency (Enard, Jones, Natale-Pereira, & Nevarez,
2011).
Due to their focus on lifelong learning, ethics, health
literacy, and experiences in a variety of healthcare settings,
HIM professionals are qualified candidates for positions as
patient advocates and patient navigators (Bresnick, 2014).

The

roles will present opportunities to utilize organizational

skills, the ability to communicate across different levels of
health literacy, and an understanding of workflow, technology,
insurance, and reimbursement in order to help patients and their
families navigate the overwhelming intricacies of the healthcare
system.

Patient advocates and patient navigators work on a

personal level to interpret data and apply information to

individual situations, understand treatment plans, communicate

Katherine Konnert
HCMT1005, 001

effectively with providers, coordinate appointments, establish

personal health records, and negotiate with third party payers.
These actions can prevent factors, such as incomplete health
histories, the overuse of emergency room services, and lack of
informed consent, that may delay or reduce quality of care
(Dolan, Wolter, & Heet, 2010).
Currently, the VA employs a patient advocate at every VA
medical center to facilitate communication between patients and
staff, and promote knowledge about benefits and patient rights
(Peterson, 2010; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015).
Some cancer treatment centers are already utilizing on-site
patient navigators to help patients and their families through
what is already an arduous experience.

They also maintain

communication with patients, survivors, and their families to

monitor patient satisfaction, and conduct community outreach
(National Cancer Institute, 2015).

The role of patient navigator

will continue to grow in populairity as it is applied to other

special patient groups, such as youth with Type 1 Diabetes
(Kreimer, 2014).
Conclusion
Data stewardship combined with the developing technology,
patient rights and responsibilites of healthcare reform, will

Katherine Konnert
HCMT1005, 001
establish the importance of advocacy in the future of the HIM
profession.

Through the rewarding roles of patient advocate and

patient navigator, HIM will improve quality and access to care,

and bridge the gap between patients and providers.

Katherine Konnert
HCMT1005, 001

5
References

AHIMA. (2015, April 20). AHIMA's Current Advocacy Agenda.

Retrieved from AHIMA:
http://www.ahima.org/about/advocacy/agenda
AMA. (2015, April 21). Health Literacy. Retrieved from AMA
American Medical Association: http://www.amaassn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/ama-foundation/ourprograms/public-health/health-literacy-program.page#
Amatayakul, M. K., Carlon, S., Cassidy, B. S., Cerrato, L. A.,
Elliott, C., Giannangelo, K., . . . Petterson, B. J. (2013).
Health Information Management Technology (4 ed.). (N. B.
Sayles, Ed.) Chicago, Illinois, United States of America:
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Bresnick, J. (2014, October 2). AHIMA leaders talk information
governance and patient advocacy. Retrieved from
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http://healthitanalytics.com/2014/10/02/ahima-leaders-talkinformation-governance-and-patient-advocacy/
Dolan, M., Wolter, J., & Heet, R. (2010, October ). Patient
Navigators: New Advocacy Role a Good Fit for HIM
Professionals. Journal of AHIMA, 81(10), 10-42. Retrieved
from

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http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahim
a/bok1_048089.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_048089
Enard, K. R., Jones, L. A., Natale-Pereira, A., & Nevarez, L.
(2011, August). The Role of Patient Navigators in
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from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4121958/
Kreimer, S. (2014, July 7). Patient Navigator Role Growing in
Popularity. Retrieved from H&HN HOSPITALS & HEALTH NETWORKS:
http://www.hhnmag.com/display/HHN-news-article.dhtml?
dcrPath=/templatedata/HF_Common/NewsArticle/data/HHN/Magazin
e/2014/Jul/patient-navigators
National Cancer Institute. (2015, February 17). Patient
Navigation Research. Retrieved from National Cancer
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http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/organization/crchd/disparitie
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Petersen, H. (2010, August 23). Patient Advocates work to
Resolve Problems. Retrieved from UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS:
http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/20100823a.asp
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2015, April 17). Veterans
Health Administration. Retrieved from U.S. Department of

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Veterans Affairs:
http://www.va.gov/health/patientadvocates.asp