The National Post features 'The Patient Diaries'.

[A Former User]

The National Post started running individual patient stories once a week for approximately eight weeks at the end of November 2016 and apparently these stories were very popular and well received by the public that the National Post decided to create a special insert called the 'The Patient Diaries' and run the stories again in their January 19, 2017 edition. Here's a little glimpse into my story and my reason for being involved in Patient Oriented Research and healthcare improvements.

http://news.nationalpost.com/health/crohns-patient-endures-long-journey-toward-stable-health

[A Former User]

Sandra, this is great. It gives a broad audience a chance to see how activism happens and why it matters. It is also wonderful education about Crohn's Disease and the patient experience. I wonder what kind of feedback you might have received from this public profile. Any downsides? Also, did it take you a long time to decide to do this interview?

Also, here's the sensitive matter of "Sponsored by a research based pharmaceutical company" and the footer:

This story was produced by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a research based pharmaceutical company.

That makes me think about this as a paid advertisement, rather than journalism. If I didn't know you and your integrity, it might make me suspicious. But you aren't promoting anything in the article, no commercial product at all. What do you think about this?

[A Former User]

'The Patient Diaries" series generated a lot of public attention which is why The National Post decided to reprint it. I know from my article alone, on The National Post's site my article has had over 2000 Facebook shares and this is not factoring in other social media and print versions. Although, I am aware that this piece was sponsored by a pharmaceutical company it has raised a lot of awareness for diseases such as Crohn's & Colitis, R.A., Psoriasis etc. Also, there's a campaign happening on a National Level to stop a 'forced switch'. Our provincial governments are considering forcing patients to switch from a biologics medication they may be on to a lower cost bio similar product. From a patient's perspective this is a scary scenario, to be faced with the possibility of de-stabilization and from a healthcare perspective this is not a very patient centered approach. These are just some of the reasons why I decided to share my story. I just want to end by saying that there are so many of us out there that suffer from these auto-immune diseases and I'm always open to hearing about how others struggle through and hopefully find ways to live well in spite of these horrible diseases. I've personally received positive discussions and feedback from sharing my story.

http://www.crohnsandcolitis.ca/site/c.dtJRL9NUJmL4H/b.9459897/k.A315/No_Forced_Switch.htm

[A Former User]

Thanks, Sandra. As with almost everything in my life, your experience reinforces my belief that there is ALWAYS strength in diversity. That is, we get the best results when many voices from many directions are offering their genuine perspectives and knowledge.

I think that's what I like most about PAN. We are a collective of disparate individual voices. We learn from each other and benefit from each other's insights. But each of us has our unique contribution to make.

Thanks for letting us know about this National Post series. And most of all, thanks for your courage in bringing your experience to the public eye.

[root]

@Carolyn-Canfield sample.pdf