Newsletter – April 2023

Patient Partners Ready to Join

Research Teams

We are pleased to announce that a new cohort of patient partners are ready to join research teams. We recently co-wrote a blog post for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Musculoskeletal Health Arthritis about the patient partner capacity building program and what we did. We also co-developed a checklist for researchers that describes expectations of patient partner engagement.

What have we been up to?

Updated COVID-19 booster resource – We updated our resource about COVID-19 vaccine booster availability in each Canadian province and territory. Many more governments have adopted the recommendation to allow for a spring booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for vulnerable communities like people who are immunocompromised. Read the updated resource on our website to stay informed!

Partner spotlight – We work with many patient organizations and recently met colleagues with a new patient group called the Canadian Autoinflammatory Network. Learn more about the work of this group by reading their guest blog available on our website!

Webinar about limited mobility disabilities – Many people that live with arthritis understand the invisible or hidden parts of living with the disease like pain that limits shopping and other activities of daily living. Please join us on Thursday, June 1 at 7 PM ET as Dr. Dorothy Riddle, founder of the Hidden Mobility Disabilities Alliance (HMDA) speaks about the topic – register today!

Get Involved!

Twitter chat about Mission: Remission – Join us on Monday, April 24, as we co-host a Twitter chat with Creaky Joints and others about remission, or reduction or disappearance of symptoms. Find us using the #CreakyChats hashtag as we explore this topic from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT!

Sjogren’s conference – Do you live with Sjogren’s Syndrome? Consider registering for the virtual National Patient Conference where you will hear from experts about and get the latest information, tips and a chance to ask your questions.

Stay Informed

Navigating the Skin Care Aisle – Do you live with psoriasis and need help navigating the skin care aisle? Use this on-line tool developed by the Canadian Psoriasis Network to learn more about the common ingredients in over-the-counter products.

What disability programs might you qualify for? The Plan Institute has expanded their existing resources to provide national information about the four key disability benefits for persons with disabilities. Learn more by accessing the National Disability Compass website!

Need to learn about biosimilar medications? Are you having to switch to a biosimilar medication because of changes to your private or government drug plan? Watch our videos about biosimilar medications and consider asking the list of questions for your rheumatologist about switching to biosimilars.

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