Mayo Clinic Contest! 5 Ways Patients Can Make a Difference!
1) Rheumatology patients are teaching medical students in Britain!
The biggest difference patients can make is to help the medical profession understand their conditions better. Patient instructors in rheumatology are instructing undergraduate and postgraduate medical students are viewed as “an excellent, relatively under-utilised, resource.” “They are especially effective at enhancing students’ understanding of the impact of living with a chronic condition.” This program is in the UK, but prospects are increasing elsewhere.
2) Donate your photo to the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation
The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF), the non-profit patient organization working to improve the lives of Rheumatoid disease patients through education, advocacy, and research wants to use real patients in its publications instead of just cheap stock photos. New brochures will be printed in the next few weeks that will then find their way into doctors’ offices to help newly diagnosed patients! This is the most requested product of RPF from doctors – materials to help their patients manage RA.
WHAT TO DO:
READ CAREFULLY!
- Be sure to use the most clear & high resolution photos you have.
- Send photos with smiling faces or warm embraces! Outdoors or with pets too!
- We also need portraits of pregnant moms or new moms & babies for a pregnancy brochure.
- Go to this link to upload your photos: http://rheum4us.org/donate-a-picture/
- Please don’t crop them down! Let us trim to needed shapes!
3) Scholarship from Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media
MCCSM is offering a scholarship contest for patients and caregivers to attend its Social Media Summit and related events Oct. 15-19, 2012, in Rochester, MN. This scholarship is for those who have been engaged as a patient or caregiver demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing health and healthcare delivery via patient empowerment; but have not, because of financial constraints, been able to attend this type of conference previously. To enter: Download and complete the Official Application here at this link. More on the official contest rules here at this link.
4) Poll of how RA has affected you or the one you care for
Where has RA affected you (or your loved one)? Check any answers that apply.
“Feet, Hands, Knees, Elbows, Spine (back), Spine (neck), Jaw, Eyes, Shoulders, Hips, Vascular (veins), Heart, Lungs, Digestive system, Voice /vocal cords, Sternum (chest / ribs), Wrists, Ankles, Other – Joints, Other – Non-joint…” Click here to participate in the poll.
5) Print some information about RA to share!
Some of the most important resources from RA Warrior are being collected on this page – click here. You have permission to print any of the resources there as long as this site is credited as the source. Keep the link because we’ll be adding more items in the future.
Recommended reading
- When Rheumatology Is Sexy
- Men and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Video PSA
- Video Blog: Two Essentials with a Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
- Video: Thoughts from American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010
Is there a non Facebook link to the survey?
Hi Lisa,
This particular survey is a Facebook “Question” only, but don’t worry! You won’t miss out. We have some important surveys coming that you can participate in here or on the http://rheum4us.org site. I don’t usually use FB for our surveys, but this was a quick poll to see what folks would say & it helps us to learn about how to do the next survey too.
The link to submit a photo does not work! I tried searching the site with no luck as well.
haven’t had any trouble with it. checking on it right away. thanks.
here is the right link! http://rheum4us.org/donate-a-picture/
I WOULD LOVE TO ENTER THIS CONTEST!
I HAVE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS & dangerously severe Palmo / Planter Psoriasis and ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS (and a pituitary tumor & 9 thyroid cysts and perhaps Crohn’s Disease).
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I HAVE RA. DO I STILL QUALIFY?
I was on Humira, but it lowered my immune system so severely (URI’s, fungal infections & then BELL’S PALSY) that my dermatologist discontinued it. My dermatologist then wanted me to start Methotrexate, but I decided against it (we’re in the wine business).
My rheumatologist doesn’t think I have RA, or PA, she only looks at blood tests – NOT ME! I was bawling the last time I left her office and she could care less. I’m trying all natural / holistic medicine now, but I would appreciate some real medical help also.
Dear Susan,
The Mayo Contest is for ANY patients or caregiver! You don’t have to have RA or any other specific dx!! I hope that lots of patients who work hard to learn about their conditions will enter the contest. Good luck!
Thanks for your encouragement, Kelly!
Here’s a follow-up on my new, recent diagnosis:
I saw a new Rheumatologist last week; his name is Dr. Roy Fleischmann. He is the head of Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases at UT Southwestern Medical School here in Dallas, TX. He doesn’t take many new patients, but my Endocrinologist was able to get me in to see Dr. Fleischmann.
After taking my history and before even ordering one blood test or x-ray, Dr. Fleischmann said, “Of course you have Psoriatic Arthritis; you’ve had it since you were a child! What was Dr. (so&so) thinking?” Before I could utter a word, he answered himself, “Obviously, she wasn’t thinking at all!”
Dr. Fleischmann then said he was starting me on Enbrel that day and ordering blood work, including DNA testing (my previous dr never tested me for FLA-B27 or any other DNA) and lots of x-rays to see what damage has already occurred.”
I will go back to see Dr. Fleischmann in 2 weeks. I’m praying Enbrel will be the answer for me without all the infections that I had while on Humira.
Thank you so much for your blog and your facebook page. You are a great encourager for me and obviously for many other people too!
God bless you & yours!
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