Now, cancer patients can meet virtually and share stories. With the Patient Cafe™, a virtual meet-up program from the Patient Empowerment Network, cancer patients sign up to meet others with the same cancer condition. The program is free and all the participants need is a good internet connection.
Now, cancer patients can meet virtually and share stories. With the Patient Cafe™, a virtual meet-up program from the Patient Empowerment Network, cancer patients sign up to meet others with the same cancer condition. The program is free and all the participants need is a good internet connection.
Patient Cafe™ meet-ups are led by an experienced patient host. Patients talk about living with their disease, family issues, workplace issues and other psycho-social topics. This is not a medical meet-up or a support group, but a conversation.
The meet-ups are easy and casual. The platform used is Zoom technology, a very easy-to-use video conferencing tool. And the participants are contacted first and given tips on how to make the most out of the meeting, what equipment they need and what to expect. Hands are held!
In the first post-program interview with patients, all were enthusiastic and wanted a second meet-up a month later with the same group. The beauty of the program is that it can be tailored to any group of patients, anywhere in the world, with any disease. Patients can meet other patients and share stories and talk about living with their illness.
If you want to learn more about Patient Cafe™ or register to participate in a meet-up, registration is up for any patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. You can go to this page to register.
Watch one of the videos from the first virtual meet-up. This meet-up was for patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Patients in this meet-up were (all but one) in the “Watch and Wait” category, meaning that they had been diagnosed with the disease, but were not currently being treated. Many patients call this category, “Watch and Worry”. Sharing their stories and talking to others help these patients feel less alone, less afraid and more confident. This is true patient empowerment.
Patient Cafe: Introduction from Patient Power on Vimeo.