Given the unique and complex needs of those with a rare disease, healthcare providers can play a crucial role in mitigating their mental health challenges.
📢Here are key strategies, Dr. Albert Freedman, the psychologist behind Rare Counseling shared in an interview with Rare Disease Advisor:
👂Listen actively: Taking the time to listen to patients and their families is invaluable. In healthcare systems where time is limited, this act alone can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Patients need to feel heard and understood beyond their clinical symptoms. “Listening goes a long way,” Dr. Freedman said. “To listen and to get to know the person is a great gift in any doctor-patient relationship.”
🤝Build personal connections: Recognize that patients are more than their disease. Developing a relationship where patients feel known as individuals can foster trust and safety, which are crucial for their mental health.
🔍Acknowledge limitations and learn: Doctors should openly acknowledge the limits of their knowledge regarding rare diseases. “There are thousands of rare diseases, and we can’t expect every physician to know what they all are,” Dr. Freedman said. It’s critical to be honest with patients about what they know and don’t and show a willingness to learn more about their disease. This transparency helps build trust and reduces patient anxiety. “To be open to learning is really important because many of our rare disease patients are anxious when they find that they know more about their disease than the doctor does,” he said.
📚Seek and coordinate resources: When doctors cannot provide specific care due to a lack of knowledge about a rare disease, they should actively help patients find specialists or resources who can. Care coordination across specialties and healthcare providers can alleviate the burden on patients and their families. “Our healthcare systems are very siloed. Healthcare professionals should help coordina
Inspiring Others With Pompe to Stand Ironman Strong
Taking on the #Ironman challenge in South Africa wasn't just about proving himself - It was about showing the world what a person with Pompe disease can do.
"Through unwavering determination and indomitable spirit, I used encouragement from others to propel me forward, and I aimed to inspire countless people along the way. It took true grit and resilience, but in the end, I hope my journey to complete this event will serve as a powerful reminder that no obstacle is insurmountable if one dares to face it head-on."
Read more in Bruce Campbell's latest #PompeDisease patient perspective: https://www.rarediseaseadvisor.com/patient-columns/inspiring-others-pompe-stand-ironman-strong/
#PompeStrong
Finding Care for HDFN Is a Difficult Task
For those with Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (#HDFN), finding care isn't that simple. Often, specialists are few and far between, and in the state of Texas, there are only two. In a recent column, Taylor Jeans opens up about the challenges of an HDFN diagnosis and pleas for an increase in care.
"In the entire state of Texas, there are only 2 doctors who are skilled enough to treat patients with HDFN. When I went to a doctor’s office in Dallas, the doctor was out on vacation and my child’s condition was critical. Hence, they had to call the only other specialized doctor in the state and transfer me to Houston."
Read more from Taylor here➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wLfuu
#RareDisease #obstetrics #FetalMedicine #MaternalFetalMedicine #Gynecology #Alloimmunization
Introducing Rare Disease Companion
Just as many individuals with rare diseases and disorders suffer from unmet medical needs, they also encounter significant informational gaps on the web. Patients and their families often search in vain for answers to their questions, finding instead content tailored for doctors, researchers, and investors — but not for patients and caregivers.
Haymarket Media ’s Rare Disease Companion network of websites seeks to address this issue by providing patients and their families with news, educational materials, and trustworthy insights. Our goal is to deliver the answers and support you need in language that is accessible and understandable.
Explore our Companion Sites here:
HDFN Companion - https://www.hdfncompanion.com/
PBC Companion - https://www.pbccompanion.com/
SM Companion - https://www.smcompanion.com/
#RareDisease #rarediseasewarrior #RareDiseaseCommunity #careaboutrare #RareDiseases #rarediseasesupport
🩸Today is #WorldHemophiliaDay.
Rare Disease Advisor joins the global community to raise awareness for those with #BleedingDisorders.
🔎To learn more about #Hemophilia visit https://brnw.ch/21wIUaL.
#Hematology #HemoChat #HemophiliaCommunity #HemophiliaStrong #CareAboutRare #NotThatRare
Our friends at myCME have begun their Spring Flash Sale! 🌸🌈 Enjoy their PA Self-Assessments at 40% off with courses in internal medicine, family medicine, and urgent care medicine. Earn up to 40 credits (60 with with NCCPA bonus credits) today!
https://brnw.ch/21wIcKr
Calling all healthcare heroes! Dive into RareDiseaseAdvisor.com, the web’s premier destination for clinicians dedicated to treating patients with rare diseases. 🦓💙
🔍 Explore a world of fresh, original, and authoritative content, designed to meet the unmet informational needs of healthcare professionals.
Here's what makes us stand out:
Daily Updates: Stay in the loop with our daily news coverage, featuring the latest in research, drug development, and rare disease advocacy.
Exclusive Features: Explore impactful rare disease features and stories that provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs in the rare disease community.
Expert Insights: Gain valuable knowledge through interviews with leading researchers and clinicians, plus comprehensive coverage of rare disease conferences.
Resource Hub: Access expansive collections of informational pages on standards of care, therapies, and other HCP resources.
On-the-Go Learning: Tune into insightful podcasts and multimedia offerings, tailored for the busy medical professional.
At Rare Disease Advisor, we are on a mission to serve healthcare providers around the globe, bridging the gaps in news and knowledge for rare disease communities. Our goal is to be your go-to source for accurate, reliable information.
🚀 Join us in creating a community where information empowers, and together, let's make a difference in the world of rare diseases!
#RareDisease #RareDiseaseAdvocate #RareDiseaseAwareness #Zebra #CareAboutRare #FindACure #BelieveInTheInvisible #HealthEquityInRare #RareDiseaseResearch #RareCommunity
What is Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)?
November 1st is International Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) Awareness Day 🌟
At Rare Disease Advisor, we're proud to support International LGS Awareness Day and join the global effort to raise awareness about this rare and challenging condition. Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is a severe and rare form of epilepsy that typically manifests in early childhood. Understanding the basics of LGS is crucial for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
🔍 What is Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)?
LGS is characterized by multiple seizure types, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and often, behavioral disturbances. It can be a relentless battle for those affected and their families, making awareness and support essential.
🤝 How Can You Help?
- Share this post to help us reach a wider audience.
- Learn more about LGS, its symptoms, and the latest treatment options at https://brnw.ch/21wE3XE
- Support organizations dedicated to improving the lives of LGS patients such as LGS Foundation, American Epilepsy Society, and CURE Epilepsy.
#LGSAwareness #LennoxGastautSyndrome #EpilepsyAwarenessMonth #RareDisease #FindACure #CareAboutRare
This month, we stand united in shining a spotlight on Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) - a rare genetic disorder affecting thousands around the world. 💙
🎗 What is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)? SMA is a neuromuscular disease that affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness. It can affect individuals of all ages, from infants to adults, impacting their ability to walk, eat, and even breathe.
📚 Educate, Empower, and Advocate! Throughout this month, we'll be sharing vital information about SMA - its symptoms, treatments, and the latest research developments. Our aim is to empower patients, caregivers, and medical professionals with the knowledge they need to tackle SMA with strength and resilience.
🤝 Resources: At Rare Disease Advisor, we're committed to providing a safe space where individuals affected by SMA can discover valuable resources. We encourage you to visit https://fal.cn/3AnlZ to learn more.
🔹 Spread the Word: Help us amplify the voice of those living with SMA and raise awareness about this often overlooked condition. Share this post and use the hashtags #SMAwarenessMonth to show your support. Together, we can make a difference!
#RareDisease #SMA #NeverGiveUp #RareDiseaseAwareness #CommunityMatters #RareDiseaseSupport #RareDiseaseAwarenessMonth #Hope #CureSMA
🎆 Happy 4th of July from Rare Disease Advisor! 🎆
Today, as we celebrate the spirit of independence, let's remember the strength and resilience of those facing rare diseases. At Rare Disease Advisor, we stand in solidarity with all the incredible individuals and families navigating unique challenges every day.
On this special day, we honor the brave souls who inspire us with their unwavering determination and extraordinary courage. We are dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and driving research to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases.
Just as the fireworks light up the night sky, may the spark of hope ignite in every heart. Together, we can create a brighter future for everyone impacted by rare diseases.
Wishing you a safe, joyful, and inclusive Independence Day!
Rare Disease Advisor would like to wish you a happy Memorial Day!
Today is World Cholangiocarcinoma Day.
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprises a heterogeneous group of rare malignant tumors that originate from cells of the biliary tree.
CCA is responsible for about 15% of all primary liver tumors and is the second most common primary malignancy of the liver, following hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is also responsible for about 3% of gastrointestinal tumors.
In hopes of helping create awareness, we would like to call attention to CCA and share our resource page for those who may be looking for more news, information, and patient perspectives: https://fal.cn/3vVak
We would also like to call attention to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and the Global Cholangiocarcinoma Alliance, two incredible organizations working to improve the lives of people with CCA. See how you can get involved with World Cholangiocarcinoma Day here: https://fal.cn/3vVai
#WorldCCADay #Cholangiocarcinoma #CCA #BileDuctCancer #CureCCA #GreenForCCA
Happy Thanksgiving from Rare Disease Advisor and the rest of the Haymarket Medical Network!
Marissa Penrod of Team Joseph "It's Okay To Ask For Help" at CureDuchenne Futures 2022
Marissa Penrod of Team Joseph talks about how it's okay to ask for help during the Community of Caregivers Panel at CureDuchenne #FUTURES
#Duchenne #RareMoms #PatientAdvocacy #CaregiverAdvocacy
Dr. Pradeep P.A. Mammen Interview by Larry Luxner on Female Duchenne Carriers
Senior Correspondent Larry Luxner, of Rare Disease Advisor, interviews Dr. Pradeep P.A. Mammen, Professor of Internal Medicine, Medical Director: Neuromuscular Cardiomyopathy Clinic, and Director of Transplant Research for the Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology Program of UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Mammen participated this weekend at CureDuchenne FUTURES 2022 Conference. Yesterday, Dr. Mammen spoke at the Track 2: Pillars of the Transition Journey and today he led a special breakout session on Female DMD Carriers.
Here is part of the interview that will be coming out in the next few weeks in our Features section and Rare Disease podcast.
Stay tuned.
#LetsCureDuchenne #22FUTURES
The Exhibitor Showcase Mix and Mingle at CureDuchenne Futures 2022 Conference
#LetsCureDuchenne
Duchenne mother speaks on “not adding guilt”
A moving moment from a mother discussing “not adding guilt” when it comes to approaches of treatment.
CureDuchenne #22FUTURES
Happy New Year from all of us at Haymarket Medical Network!