What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 6:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 6:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 6:30pm Thursday 10am - 8pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Patient Advocates of Southwest Florida

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Punta Gorda, FL
Patient Advocates of Southwest Florida

Helping adults & families navigate healthcare with clarity, calm & expert support. Board-Certified Patient Advocate
Southwest FL & Nationwide

Patient advocates serve in an information and facilitation role in health care. We empower patients and clients by providing background knowledge of the healthcare system, making them aware of their options and to feel confident in voicing their care goals and choices.

05/18/2025

You Don't Have to Figure IT OUT ALONE

At Patient Advocates of Southwest FL (PAoSWFL), we help individuals and families navigate confusing, stressful, and medically complex healthcare situations - with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Founded by Board-Certified Patient Advocate CarolAnne Dube, PAoSWFL offers hands-on healthcare navigation, crisis advocacy, and personalized care strategy to:

Decode medical information and diagnoses

Prepare for hospital discharges or care transitions

Navigate complex cases and chronic illness

Support older adults and long-distance caregivers

Advocate during emergencies, appointments, and more

Whether you’re overwhelmed by a new diagnosis, struggling to care for aging parents, or unsure where to start — we’re here to guide, support, and empower.

📍 Based in Punta Gorda, FL
📞 Serving clients locally and nationwide
🕊️ Advocate Assessment Calls available

10/11/2024

Your Right to Informed Decision Making

Did you know that as a patient, you have the right to all the information you need to make healthcare decisions? That means knowing your options, the risks, and the benefits before saying “yes” to any treatment. At Patient Advocates of SWFL, LLC, we ensure that every patient has access to the knowledge and support they need to make the best decisions for their care. Knowledge + Support = Empowerment.

10/10/2024

Informed Decision Making: More Than Just Information

Informed decision-making isn’t just about knowing the facts—it's about understanding your options, their pros and cons, and how they affect your life. At Patient Advocates of Southwest FL, LLC, we believe in partnering with patients to ensure they fully grasp their diagnosis and all available treatments. This is how we help people make informed, empowered decisions about their health.

10/09/2024

How to Make Informed Decisions in Complex Medical Situations

Do you feel overwhelmed by the options your doctor presents? That’s where informed decision-making comes in! It’s not just about knowing the facts but also understanding how those facts fit into your life and values. At PAoSWFL, we break down complex information, giving you the tools to confidently decide what's best for your health. You deserve clear communication, transparency, and time to make choices that work for you.

10/08/2024

Why Informed Decision Making Matters

Healthcare can be overwhelming, especially when faced with critical decisions. That’s why being well-informed about all your options is essential. When you’re armed with clear, accurate information, you can ask the right questions, consider the risks, and make the best decision for your health. At Patient Advocates of Southwest FL, LLC, we help patients and families navigate the noise, ensuring that every decision is fully informed and aligned with their goals.

10/07/2024

Simplifying Medical Communication: A Key Part of Advocacy

At PAoSWFL, we believe that effective advocacy starts with clear communication. Medical language can be overwhelming, and many patients feel lost when they don’t understand what their doctors say. Medical Communication Simplified ensures that every patient has the knowledge they need to navigate their care confidently.

Through this service, we work to ensure that medical conversations are clear, concise, and tailored to the patient’s needs and understanding. By doing so, we empower patients to take control of their health and make decisions that align with their personal beliefs and goals.

When healthcare communication is simplified, advocacy becomes more effective, and patients can make the best choices for their health. That’s our mission at PAoSWFL.

10/04/2024

Simplifying Medical Communication: A Key Part of Advocacy

At Patient Advocates of Southwest FL, LLC, we believe that effective advocacy starts with clear communication. Medical language can be overwhelming, and many patients feel lost when they don’t understand what their doctors are saying. Medical Communication Simplified ensures that every patient has the knowledge they need to navigate their care confidently.

This service ensures that medical conversations are clear, concise, and tailored to the patient’s needs and understanding. By doing so, we empower patients to take control of their health and make decisions that align with their personal beliefs and goals.

When healthcare communication is simplified, advocacy becomes more effective, and patients can make the best choices for their health. That’s our mission at PAoSWFL.

10/02/2024

What is Healthcare Bias?
What does bias in healthcare look like? Whether implicit or explicit, bias can affect patients' quality of care. This week, we’ll explore common biases and their impact on patient outcomes.
Experiences of observations to share?

10/01/2024

Many of the clients I work with encounter what I deem to be unnecessary roadblocks related to their care. I say unnecessary because these roadblocks stem from bias. Let me explain.

In healthcare, bias often manifests in the attitudes or assumptions healthcare providers hold toward certain patients based on factors like race, gender, weight, or socioeconomic status. These attitudes can lead to providers treating some patients differently—not always intentionally, but in ways that affect the quality of care.

For example:
• A doctor might dismiss a patient’s symptoms because they assume the patient is exaggerating due to preconceived notions about their gender or race.
• A provider might show less empathy toward a patient struggling with addiction or mental health issues, assuming they are "non-compliant" or "difficult."
• A nurse might pay more attention to educated patients, offering them better explanations or treatment options.

In these cases, bias isn’t always about overt actions but the attitude or mindset shaping how patients are treated. These subtle biases can significantly impact the patient's experience and the effectiveness of their care.

09/30/2024

Knowledge + Support = Empowerment

In healthcare, knowledge is the foundation of empowerment. But knowledge alone isn’t enough—support is the key that turns information into action. When you combine clear, understandable medical communication with compassionate support, you are empowered to take control of your healthcare journey.

At Patient Advocates of Southwest FL, we believe in the power of simplifying medical communication and providing the support you need to navigate the healthcare system with confidence. Remember, you’re not just a patient—you’re an empowered partner in your own care.

09/27/2024

What Better Way to Make Informed Decisions?

Making informed decisions about your healthcare starts with understanding your options. But how can you make the best choices if the information is presented in a way that’s confusing or overwhelming?

Simplified medical communication is the solution. By breaking down complex terms and explaining procedures in clear, understandable language, you gain the clarity needed to confidently make decisions. At Patient Advocates of Southwest FL, we’re here to ensure that you have the knowledge and support to navigate your healthcare journey successfully.

09/26/2024

No Longer Feeling Like You Are Being Talked Over

Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling like your voice wasn’t heard or your questions weren’t fully answered? You’re not alone. Many patients feel they are being talked over rather than talked to.

Simplifying medical communication is the key to changing this dynamic. At Patient Advocates of Southwest FL, we ensure that your voice is heard and that you fully understand what’s being discussed. We help you ask the right questions and advocate for the answers you deserve. Don’t settle for being talked over—be part of the conversation.

Address

Punta Gorda, FL

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday	10am - 8pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Website

http://www.patientadvocatesofswfl.com/

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