Justice in health care - the role of health care workers in advocacy.

Abstract

When we remove all the dynamics that encase the health care system, it becomes apparent that the patient-health care professional relationship is in essence the foundation of health care. Crucial questions must be answered in order to fully understand the boundaries of the association between these two key role players, doctor and patient. Does this relationship only exist in hospital corridors, or does it extend further into patients’ lives? Are health care workers obliged to play multiple roles of advocate, social worker and advisor to their patients? In order to answer these questions and explore other relevant issues this essay will probe socio-economic factors affecting the role that might be expected of a professional, especially in the context of South African communities in the era of HIV/AIDS and economic uncertainty.