title: Advocacy at the end of life: meeting the needs of vulnerable Latino patients.
abstract: This research explores health care professionals' understanding of the problems that arise in managing a terminal condition impacting the Latino population and conceptualizes the components of patient advocacy that address gaps in end-of-life care for patients and their family members. Limited research exists regarding patient advocacy from the perspectives of health care providers working with vulnerable Latino populations utilizing a public sector health care system. Forty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted with providers from different disciplines including medicine, nursing, social work, and chaplaincy. Although roles and responsibilities vary among health providers, it is imperative that all providers become aware of the need for patient advocacy. Doing so is not only in the best interest of vulnerable Latino populations but also has overarching financial benefits and positive outcomes for patients, administrators, and public health care systems. Social workers are the ideal professionals to assume leadership roles and share their knowledge of how to advocate effectively for the most vulnerable populations.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California 90073, USA. nedjatha@gmail.com
authors.forename: Frances R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Nedjat-Haiem
authors.forename: Iraida V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Carrion
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cribbs
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lorenz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000523:psychology*; D028701:Patient Rights; D011203:Poverty; D017150:Public Sector; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology*