Patient Advocacy

The Right to Effective Communication

Ensuring Symptoms Are Understood

Patients must ensure medical professionals understand their exact symptoms. In emergencies, patients cannot afford to wait. L. Bradley Schwartz was nearly killed by a misdiagnosis when ER doctors ignored his complaints. Nursing triage notes suggested a simple headache, and the electronic medical chart provided incoming staff a misleading history. This initial note labeled him "the guy in room B with a headache," a description that followed him his entire stay. Six months and 24 surgeries later, his medical record still read: "Diagnosis: Headache."

The Right to a Patient Advocate

How a Patient Advocate Can Make a Difference

Patients have the absolute right to appoint an advocate to speak for them. Following his medical malpractice tragedy, L. Bradley Schwartz questioned if his outcome would have differed had someone been there to demand attentive care. Medical trauma often leaves patients and families unable to communicate effectively. Language barriers, religious beliefs, or a quiet demeanor are all reasons to hire a credentialed professional to fight for appropriate care. As a survivor and multiple amputee, Schwartz learned that having a friend or relative present isn't always enough. He founded Greater National Advocates to improve care, enforce rights, and give patients a voice.

The Right to Know Your Doctor’s Experience

Physician Competency And Unnecessary Risk Taking

Attorney L. Bradley Schwartz, a patient rights leader, experienced the consequences of doctors practicing in specialized areas without adequate training, supervision, or consultation. Patients have the right to know a physician’s actual training before a procedure or treatment for a complex condition. For instance, hospitals invest millions in technologies like da Vinci surgical robots, yet not every surgeon is sufficiently trained to use them. Patients have the right to ask, and doctors are required to disclose, specific details regarding their experience and the actions taken to minimize risk.

The Right to Make Informed Decisions

It’s Always The Patient’s Choice

Schwartz survived only because he demanded an ambulance transfer from one ICU to a hospital with better resources. He maintains that facilities must respect a patient’s right to decide where, when, and how they receive care. If a patient is dissatisfied with a facility, they can choose to leave. If a doctor ignores them, they have the right to find another one. While logistical hurdles and insurance restrictions exist, Schwartz helps provide answers when questions arise about a patient's right to decide during critical moments.