I can’t remember the last time I read a book cover-to-cover in one sitting.
But recently, I read all 180 pages of a book by patient advocate Tim McDonald in a single afternoon.
This book, From Patient to Advocate: Turning Survivorship into Impact: A Healthcare Advocate’s Guide, did something many healthcare resources fail to do well. It bridged the gap between patient advocacy and industry in a way that felt practical, honest and deeply human.
Originally written to help patients become stronger advocates, it also offers valuable lessons for people who work with patients. I found myself reflecting on my work with advocates and influencers, and I know people who work in pharma, med device, agencies and healthcare communicators will find it interesting and helpful.
Patient Advocacy Is Not Just a Box to Check
Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with patient advocates in a variety of settings.
I manage an online food allergy community. I help plan and facilitate advisory boards for pharmaceutical organizations. I spend a lot of time thinking about how healthcare companies engage patients in ways that are authentic, respectful and genuinely collaborative.
Reading this book reminded me how differently patient advocates often experience those interactions compared to industry teams. From the industry side, an invitation to participate in an advisory board or initiative may feel like a thoughtful opportunity.
Yet, from the patient perspective, there are often bigger questions underneath the invitation.
- Why was I chosen?
- Will my voice actually influence decisions?
- Is this engagement meaningful or symbolic?
- Does the organization genuinely care about patient outcomes or are they simply looking for validation?
Those questions matter more than most industry professionals realize.
The Best Insights Come From Listening Closely
One of the reasons the book resonated with me is because it offered insight into how patient advocates evaluate opportunities behind the scenes.
That perspective is incredibly valuable for industry professionals.
Healthcare organizations spend enormous amounts of time discussing patient centricity, engagement strategies and trust building. Yet some of the most important answers are already sitting inside patient communities if we are willing to listen carefully enough.
Patients and caregivers often understand communication gaps, access barriers and emotional realities in ways industry teams cannot fully replicate internally.
A big part of our work at Voronyx is helping our clients better connect the dots and be prepared to proactively answer these questions for advocates. This helps both groups communicate more effectively with each other and have better outcomes overall.
Reach out to me to learn more about how to work effectively with patient influencers.
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