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Clinical
Patient Advocacy Clinical Program
Our Curriculum
Rather than becoming well-versed in all substantive areas of health advocacy, students at CPP learn to assess client needs,
help them mobilize resources, and collaborate with students and professionals with other skill sets. Students who complete the CPP clinical training program learn how consumers with serious health conditions experience the healthcare system. They also learn technical knowledge for healthcare advocacy, how healthcare financing and delivery affects people's lives, and how to work collaboratively and proactively across disciplines.
Students practice skills for effective patient-centered advocacy, including how to empathize, listen actively, respect confidentiality, communicate effectively with clients, and understand the scope and breadth of roles other professionals can play. Students work with an interdisciplinary staff to help clients and families build capacity as self-advocates and frame healthcare decisions. Students also learn to uphold professional ethics, interview clients effectively, and manage complex cases.
An intensive orientation introduces students to advocacy. The syllabus remains flexible and dynamic, responding to issues
that surface during case work or with new legislation such as Medicare Part D. Weekly seminars create a venue for students to
openly grapple together with issues they and their clients face. Practicing professionals, both local and national, visit CPP to discuss
potential legal issues associated with public and private disability appeals, employment law, financial planning, medical debt management,
coding and billing, and medical treatment research. Other experts lead discussions regarding hospice care, bereavement and advance directives.
Clients also attend seminars to share perspectives on the health care system.
Due to its educational mission, CPP is not a "volume-based" advocacy organization. For every three clinical students, there is at least
one CPP staffer or seasoned volunteer advocate available for consult on a case. Students often dive deeply into client cases;
they average one graduate academic credit per two cases they advocate.
Learning Objectives
Students learn core advocacy skills, including how to:
- empathize
- listen actively
- respect client confidentiality
- communicate effectively
- help clients and families build confidence and skills for self-advocacy
- maintain professional ethics
- help clients frame health care decisions
- interview clients effectively
- manage complex cases
After completing advocacy training, student advocates report increased awareness of health systems. At first, many students
assume they will "solve problems for clients," demonstrating how their professional training can help. In reality,
students serve as "guides" or companions, learning to recognize and respect clients' values, goals and decision-making styles.
CPP advocates have helped clients and families negotiate insurance disputes, apply for financial assistance/charity care,
tap existing and new support networks, find new or experimental treatments, learn to participate in their care team, protect employment rights,
secure private and public disability benefits, and access appropriate medical care.
Clinical Application, Clinical Admissions Criteria
Dates of Upcoming Clinical Semesters:
- Fall 2010: September 2nd - December 15th, 2010
- Spring 2011: January 18th - May 6th, 2011
If you are interested in studying with us, complete the Clinical Application (PDF) and return by the date specified on the application.
Our Clinical Admissions Criteria (PDF) outlines our criteria for admissions. We interivew all applicants who pass an initial paper application screening.
Please note: We are currently accepting applications for the Spring '11 and the Summer '11 semesters.
Participation in the Clinical can be through enrollment in our clinical course, a field placement or clerkship, or an internship. For more information contact Aphra Mednick at amednick@wisc.edu.
The Clinical counts towards completion of a Certificate in Consumer Health Advocacy.
Clinical Education Guidelines
Students often wonder how long they are expected to study at the Center and how learning changes in the second or third semester at the Center. Our Clinical Education Guidelines (PDF) outline those expections.
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