Introduction
If you’ve ever worked in patient outreach, especially in public health, you know that it can feel like trying to manage chaos with a sticky note and a spreadsheet.
Whether you’re scheduling Ubers, chasing down lab dates, or messaging care teams on behalf of clients, the work is nonstop. And it’s hard to tell if what you’re doing is actually moving the needle—especially when the tools you’re given are built for reporting, not real-time problem-solving.
That’s exactly where I’m coming from. I’m not a data analyst, manager, or clinician. I’m a client advocate who helps people stay connected to HIV care. But the more time I spend in this role, the more I’ve realized that understanding data—even at a basic level—could make a real difference not just for me, but for anyone doing this kind of work.
What Client Advocates Need From Data (That We’re Not Getting)
Let’s be honest: a lot of the data we get isn’t made for us. It’s often meant for grant reporting, leadership dashboards, or compliance reviews. But for those of us who need to act fast—who are literally calling clients, booking rides, and documenting outreach—what we really need is clarity.
Some examples:
- A way to quickly see which clients are most at risk of falling out of care
- An easier method to track what kind of follow-up has already happened
- A system that helps prioritize—not just alphabetize—a client list
Right now, we’re handed spreadsheets and expected to figure it out. Some of us do—out of necessity. But a little training and some basic automation could go a long way for teams like ours.
Why I’m Studying Data (and What That Actually Looks Like)
I recently enrolled in WGU’s B.S. in Data Analytics program. It’s an online, self-paced degree designed for working professionals. What made it a good fit for me is that it focuses on practical tools—like Excel, SQL, Python, and data visualization—not just theory.
But I’m not studying this to “level up” or leave my role. I’m doing it because I want to be better at it.
If I can learn how to clean up spreadsheets faster, automate simple parts of the follow-up process, or spot patterns in missed appointments—I know I’ll be a stronger advocate. Not just for my clients, but for my team.
Where Data Can Help—Even If You’re Not a “Data Person”
Here’s where I think this is relevant to anyone in outreach, case management, or care navigation:
- You’re probably already doing pattern recognition in your head. Data tools help confirm or organize those instincts.
- You’ve likely had days where you thought, “I know I followed up on this client, but I can’t remember what happened.” Structured logs or workflows can help.
- You may not want to become a “data analyst,” but you’d definitely benefit from saving 2 hours a week on reporting or cleaning up contact lists.
The bottom line: learning data doesn’t mean changing careers. It means doing your current job with fewer headaches and better tools.
What I’ll Be Sharing on This Blog (And Why It Might Help You)
This blog isn’t about me showing off what I’m learning. It’s about testing small ways to work smarter in advocacy roles like mine—and sharing what works (and what doesn’t).
I’ll be posting:
- Templates I’ve built in Excel to manage outreach logs
- Simple workflows that help triage clients for re-engagement
- Reflections on tools I’m learning in school—and how I might actually use them in care coordination
If you’ve ever looked at a “did not keep appointment” list and thought, “There has to be a better way,”—you’ll probably find something useful here.
Conclusion
I’m not becoming a manager. I’m not building a startup. I’m just learning how to turn messy spreadsheets into something more useful—because my job depends on it, and so does yours.
If you work in care coordination, public health outreach, or client advocacy, and you’ve ever wanted your tools to work as hard as you do, I hope you’ll stick around. I’ll keep sharing what I learn—with you in mind.