Guest Blog: Why Advocacy Tools Matter by Haley Magnetta

You want to make a difference, but advocacy can be confusing, frustrating, and time-consuming. We can help.
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As a practicing Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I could not help but notice many areas where our healthcare system was breaking down. As I became more and more frustrated, I realized that many other providers were feeling the same way. Moreover, many of us shared the same opinions on what needed to change within healthcare policy. However, we are not heavily trained in health policy or advocacy as medical providers, and much of it was quite frankly daunting. While I had many thoughts about policy that needed change to better healthcare for both patients and providers, I did not know where to start.
When I learned about the Advocacy Tool of the Day, it could not have been a more perfect fit. The Tool of the Day meets the needs of anyone interested in learning more about advocacy by providing a solid foundation about the basics of becoming an advocate. Along the way, tips on how to speak to legislators, research your idea, testify online, utilize social media as an advocate, and more are delivered via email, allowing one to take an advocacy idea from start to finish. This is particularly helpful for those who are busy but want to learn about advocacy. The information is provided concisely in a daily email and does not require lengthy reading through websites or books.
Whether one is in healthcare or not, many feel overwhelmed or underqualified when considering taking on an advocacy role for a policy change at first. However, after utilizing the Advocacy Tool of the Day, one can gain confidence and feel empowered to become an advocate for change. If you find yourself wondering why certain policies are in place or yearning for policy change in a particular area you find essential, then the Advocacy Tool of the Day is for you.