What best defines the role of a patient advocate or navigator?

The role of a patient advocate or navigator is defined by their responsibility to assist the patient or act on behalf of the patient. This involves guiding individuals through the complex healthcare system, helping them understand their treatment options, facilitating communication with healthcare providers, and ensuring that the patient's needs and preferences are prioritized in their care.

Patient advocates are instrumental in making the healthcare experience more accessible and aligned with the patient's values, helping them navigate appointments, test results, and insurance claims. This advocacy ensures that patients receive the support they need to make informed decisions about their health and treatment.

In contrast, keeping medical records, acting on behalf of the provider, or providing transportation to appointments, while potentially supportive tasks, do not capture the essence of the advocacy role, which is fundamentally centered around supporting the patient's perspective and needs within the healthcare system.