The Center for Patient Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Consumer Health Advocacy Certificate


July 2008

A new 12-credit Certificate in Consumer Health Advocacy is now available for UW graduate students and professional students from the schools of medicine & public health, pharmacy, nursing, and law.

Overview
Eligibility and prerequisites
Coursework
For more information
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Overview

The Certificate course of study combines applied health advocacy training, an introduction to health systems and health care delivery, and elective course work in one of three areas: law, regulations and ethics; health economics; or policy, management and public health. This certificate is designed to enhance home disciplinary studies by maximizing advocacy skills which complement professional expertise.

Today, as health systems grow more and more complex, health consumers – individually and collectively – increasingly turn to adept advocates to help them navigate medical, legal, employment, financial and psychosocial issues, and improve the systems and instruments that support health care access and quality.

This Certificate will provide health professional and other graduate-level students:

A guiding principle of the certificate is that consumer perspectives must be included in any health care performance improvement initiative. Graduates with a Consumer Health Advocacy Certificate will demonstrate adaptability to the increased complexity of the consumer experience in health care and related sectors.

For more information about the Certificate, or to request an application, please contact the Center for Patient Partnerships at (608) 265-6267 or cpp@law.wisc.edu.

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Eligibility and Prerequisites

There are no specific course prerequisites, but admitted students are required to meet with program advisers to select an appropriate mix of courses to satisfy the certificate requirements and complement their disciplinary studies. Students are also encouraged to meet with advisers in their home discipline. All existing prerequisites for each course apply to Certificate students.

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Coursework

Note: The courses listed represent applicable classes offered at UW-Madison as of Spring 2008. Some courses may no longer be available and new courses may meet criteria. New courses can be sent to Sarah Davis at sdavis2@wisc.edu for review.

Health Advocacy students will complete coursework in four key areas:

(1)  introductory advocacy methods
(2)  advanced micro and macro-level advocacy methods
(3)  health systems advocacy
(4)  a related elective in one of the following areas:

At the completion of coursework, students will submit a 20 page capstone paper on a Health Advocacy topic.

Each student must complete at least 12 credits of required coursework. Upon completion of these credits, students will submit a capstone paper to program advisers.

For many students, some or all of these credits will meet requirements of their home disciplines resulting in fewer or no additional credits to the number required for core degrees.

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(1) Introductory Core Advocacy Clinical, 3 credits or equivalent hours (45 hrs/ cr.)

This hands-on clinical provides a foundational introduction to micro and macro advocacy skills and methods, patient-centered care, and interprofessional problem-solving. Students provide advocacy services to patients facing life-threatening and serious chronic illnesses.

Consumer Health Advocacy and Patient-Centered Care Clinical (Law 854, 3 cr., or equivalent*)

*Some students take this course through field placements and receive credit in their home discipline.

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(2) Advanced Advocacy Clinical, Coursework or Externship, 3 credits or equivalent hours (45 hours per credit)

This requirement addresses advanced micro and macro advocacy education, continued exposure to consumer-centered principles, and advanced interprofessional teamwork.

One or more of the following courses, externships/field placements or an approved substitute:

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(3) Health Systems, 3 credits

This area introduces students to fundamentals of U.S. health systems and health care delivery, historical and contemporary.

The following course or an approved substitute:

L&CP: Consumer Issues in Health Systems and Health Care Delivery (Law 940, 2-3 cr.)

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(4) Elective credit, 3 credits – in one or more of the following areas.

Course selection will be guided by advisers.

Law, Regulations, and Ethics

Courses in this elective area address fundamental substantive knowledge and critical thinking relevant to complex legal, regulatory or ethical matters health advocates will face.

One or more of the following courses or an approved substitute:

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Health Economics

Courses in this elective area address fundamental substantive knowledge and critical thinking regarding health care financing and economics.

Students who choose this elective are required to discuss their course selection with a Certificate adviser and the chosen course faculty; standard pre-requisites apply.

One of the following courses or an approved substitute:

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Policy, Management, or Public Health

Courses in this elective area address fundamental substantive knowledge and critical thinking regarding health policy, management, or public health issues.

One of the following courses or an approved substitute:

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For more information about the Certificate Program, or to request an application, please contact the Center for Patient Partnerships at (608) 265-6267 or cpp[at]law[dot]wisc[dot]edu.

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