Final answer:
Health advocacy is a form of public policy advocacy focused on the healthcare sector, promoting patients' rights and community improvements in patient care. It encompasses a range of activities, from legislative efforts like the ACA to initiatives that enhance compassion and understanding in healthcare delivery, such as Theatre in Health Education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of advocacy that supports the rights of patients and aims to improve the community caring for patients is health advocacy, which falls under the umbrella of public policy advocacy with a focus on healthcare. Health advocacy involves policy advocates and policy analysts who work toward shaping proposals and reforms that promote justice, morality, and improved quality of life for patients. This often includes efforts like the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), promoting health education, addressing health disparities, and disease prevention. Advocacy in this realm is evidence-based and leverages facts and analysis to effect change, and may also involve empowering underrepresented communities and working towards increasing quality care through initiatives like Theatre in Health Education programs that enhance medical professionals' bedside manner.
Empowering individuals, including those with disabilities, to shape the narrative around their care and ensuring communities listen and understand diverse perspectives is a core aspect of effective advocacy. Care ethics also play a significant role in health advocacy, which is based on traits like compassion, sympathy, kindness, and a willingness to take responsibility. These traits are key in resolving conflicts in medical settings and promoting values of care.