The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of people’s lives, including health care. Many physicians and practices were forced to transition from traditional, in-person doctor’s visits to telehealth appointments. Only under more extreme or necessary circumstances were patients allowed in-person visits, and often times they were forced to go to those visits alone and without… Continue reading How Digitization Helps Patients Become Their Own Health Advocates
Tag: self-advocate
Things I Wish My Doctor Would Do
You have been experiencing a mix of symptoms for a while, fatigue, headaches, muscle soreness, and shortness of breath. Wondering if it’s something like stress or a more serious condition, you visit your doctor with the hopes of getting some answers. But instead, your doctor gives you a quizzical look and sends you on your way with more questions… Continue reading Things I Wish My Doctor Would Do
Advocacy 101: See our new guide!
Interested in getting into advocacy for your health condition community this year? Raising your voice to boost awareness about your condition or the reality of being a patient takes courage. Yet it’s pretty simple to get started with advocacy, so together with members of our Team of Advisors (a team of highly active members and… Continue reading Advocacy 101: See our new guide!
“Breaking up” with a doctor after 14 years — Bernadette’s journey to better care
PatientsLikeMe member Bernadette (yellsea), who’s on the 2018 Team of Advisors, has been living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) since 2002. She recently filled us in about switching specialists after more than a decade with the same neurologist, and advocating for herself after enough “red flags” popped up in her interactions with that physician. Out with the… Continue reading “Breaking up” with a doctor after 14 years — Bernadette’s journey to better care
How to prepare for a doctor’s appointment: 7 tips from member Cathy
Ever feel confused or overwhelmed after a doctor’s appointment? Forget to ask important questions or bring up new symptoms? Covering all of your concerns in a 30-minute appointment can be tricky. MS community member Cathy can relate — read on to see how she’s learned to make the most of her appointments and check out her… Continue reading How to prepare for a doctor’s appointment: 7 tips from member Cathy
Life-changing second opinion stories: “I decided to get a second and third opinion…”
Stories showing the importance of second opinions have been popping up in the media and on PatientsLikeMe. Check out the recent news headlines, hear a remarkable story of a PatientsLikeMe member who received a life-saving lung transplant after getting a second (and third) opinion, and share your own experience of piecing together your health puzzle.… Continue reading Life-changing second opinion stories: “I decided to get a second and third opinion…”
How to be your best health advocate
PatientsLikeMe is pleased to announce a new collaboration with Cathy Chester, a wife, mother, advocate and the voice behind her blog, “An Empowered Spirit: Living a Healthy and Vibrant Life After 50.” You might’ve already seen Cathy’s #MoreThan story about her diagnosis and how she’s much more than MS. Here, Cathy dives into the importance of being your… Continue reading How to be your best health advocate
The Patient Voice: Interview with Mountabora (Mood Conditions Community)
Yesterday, we announced a new report called The Patient Voice for Inpatient Therapy, which highlights patients’ top tips for having a positive inpatient therapy experience. Maureen Oakes, community manager for PatientsLikeMe Mood Conditions Community (for people with depression and other mood conditions), recently interviewed 3-star member, Mountabora, about her experiences with hospitalization. Here’s what she… Continue reading The Patient Voice: Interview with Mountabora (Mood Conditions Community)