EMPOWERED PATIENTS EMPOWER PATIENTS: HOW TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DIAGNOSIS
Carly Flumer
What comes to your mind when you think of the word “ empowerment ?” Do you think of a specific person , thing , or event ? What about an “ empowered ” patient ? Do you think of a patient or patient advocate who goes above and beyond and fights for their health care , or embodies themselves with a wealth of knowledge about a specific disease ? At the Patient Empowerment Network ( PEN ), we bel ieve that patients have power . They have the power to learn about and understand their diagnosis , find a healthcare team that understands their needs , values , and morals , and support other patients on their cancer journey – al l to create better health outcomes . Are you looking to become an empowered patient ? Here are a few ways :
SHARE YOUR STORY
One of the most important things about your journey is that it is your own . No cancer diagnosis is al ike , just l ike no patient is al ike . Your story is unique , and the power of sharing your story is unmatched . Storytel l ing is what connects others and develops strong bonds . Share your story with your fami ly and friends , post about it on social media , and connect with patient advocacy organizations ( including PEN !) to share your story across the globe .
CREATE A BLOG
Create your own advocacy blog : This article has how - tos and best tips .
JOIN A TWEETCHAT
Participate in Tweet chats : Tweet chats are chats that occur on Twitter at different times / days using a hashtag . PEN has a tweet chat cal led # patientchat that occurs every other Friday . These chats are hosted by a variety of organizations around different topics . As a participant , you answer a series of questions prompted by the host . It can be a great environment to express your opinions and talk about your experience . You can find Tweet chats relevant to you by using Symplur ’ s Healthcare Hashtag Project , which l ists hashtags specific to what you ’ re looking for . You can also see if specific organizations you ’ re fol lowing on Twitter host chats or start your own !
PEN - POWERED ACTIVITY GUIDE | PAGE 06
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