Martine Ehrenclou, M.A., is an award-winning author, patient advocate and speaker. Author of the multiple award-winning, Critical Conditions, and her newest health book, The Take-Charge Patient, Martine is focused on empowering patients so they become experts on how navigate and take charge of their medical care. With her last book, Critical Conditions, and her newest book, her mission is to bring to light the importance of being an advocate for others and for ourselves.
In her books, published articles, media interviews, and lectures, Martine Ehrenclou reveals insider information on how to work the healthcare system for the patient's benefit.
Through her extensive research and her own recent chronic pain medical condition, Martine learned firsthand how to be a take-charge patient by using her own strategies in her new book. She went from author and advocate for others to an advocate for herself. After seeing eleven physicians, undergoing nine procedures and surgeries, being prescribed twenty-two medications, she finally found a doctor who diagnosed her correctly and cured her medical condition.
Martine writes monthly articles for several health websites, regularly publishes articles on the topics of patient empowerment, patient advocacy, patient safety and other health/medical related issues. She consistently receives national exposure and is interviewed by TV, radio and other media. Martine lectures at universities, hospitals, organizations and libraries, and writes a monthly blog and newsletter.
I'm an author, patient advocate and speaker. My new book, The Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get The Best Medical Care, was released 5/2012 www.TheTakeChargePatient.com [1] I lecture, write and publish articles on the issues of patient safety, patient advocacy, the collaborative relationship between patients and medical professionals, effective communication strategies to interact with medical professionals and other health/medical related issues. I hope you benefit and enjoy my being part of things at Lumigrate as much as I do! Also, I am a member of: -HHS, Partnership for Patients -The Society of Participatory Medicine -The National Patient Advocate Foundation -National Healthcare Advocacy Consultants
Links:
[1] http://www.TheTakeChargePatient.com
[2] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/martine-ehrenclou-ma-award-winning-author-patient-advocatehealth-system-navigation-expert#comment-1349
[3] http://twitter.com/lumigrate
[4] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/martine-ehrenclou-ma-award-winning-author-patient-advocatehealth-system-navigation-expert#top
[5] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/login?destination=node/840%23comment-form
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[7] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/martine-ehrenclou-ma-award-winning-author-patient-advocatehealth-system-navigation-expert#comment-1353
[8] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/martine-ehrenclou-ma-award-winning-author-patient-advocatehealth-system-navigation-expert#comment-1354
Comments
Martine -
My sincere thanks for joining us on Lumigrate in order to bring your expertise our way. In the years as a medical worker (since 1996) and having chronic medical conditions (1989 and again 1995 onto today), there were innumerable things which occurred to me working or being a consumer within the ConMed arena which ushered me to 'do' what is now Lumigrate. Lumigrate launched, or 'went live' in March of 2009, with "The You Model" on the landing page; it is the hub of my belief system about how to have successful patients / medical consumers.
Your biographical information, above, is very interesting to me because what you describe with the amount of time, energy, and money resources that went into missed and mis-diagnosing and treatments is such the common denominator and something we would discuss with each NEW person who came to live educational forums I co-developed and lead in2007 with Chris Young, PhD/Psychology (seen in the forums in writing and in the topmost 'podcast' forum as well as the videos tab.)
The video on Lumigrate he 'stars in' titled Health Management actually includes graphics we'd had run onto large paper we were using in the presentation to show the patient 'run-around' that goes on with insurance-based medicine in the US today, typically, and then he presents "the collaborative care model" and provides supportive information as to its proven ability to decrease costs and increase outcomes, including consumer satisfaction: By making someone be their team quarterback and us providers be their offensive and defensive players, we can all win with less effort and expense!
I'm looking forward to much exchange of information and collaboration, and naturally, the cross-pollination and referrals that come within Lumigrate's forums for providers to shepherd and help patients navigate their way to the best providers for their particular needs. By having that at Lumigrate.com for all to see, anyone can then be 'self-serve' as well. I hope that MANY will find you and your books because of your presence here at Lumigrate. An in particular, I'm looking forward to reading Critical Conditions as soon as I can get my hands on a copy, and then your upcoming book, The Take-Charge Patient, when it is available in 2012.
Much to look forward to, and I think you again. ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [3] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Mardy,
Thank you for the wonderful welcome to Lumigrate. I look forward to getting to know everyone and reading their info. I also hope to post some information that might be of help to people.
Thank you again, Mardy! You're the best.
Martine
I'm an author, patient advocate and speaker. My new book, The Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get The Best Medical Care, was released 5/2012 www.TheTakeChargePatient.com [1] I lecture, write and publish articles on the issues of patient safety, patient advocacy, the collaborative relationship between patients and medical professionals, effective communication strategies to interact with medical professionals and other health/medical related issues. I hope you benefit and enjoy my being part of things at Lumigrate as much as I do! Also, I am a member of: -HHS, Partnership for Patients -The Society of Participatory Medicine -The National Patient Advocate Foundation -National Healthcare Advocacy Consultants
Martine, you're so welcome! I hope many purchase your books for themselves or as gifts; education is the key and that requires that people use some of their TIME resource for learning, and at Lumigrate, people are 'on board' with that! I believe this will be a very helpful 'home' for you to share with us for EVERYONE's benefit! The greatest thing a person can do to help someone who is experiencing health challenges is also to offer their time to assist in some facet they are capable of helping with, whether that be related to food/nutrition support, cleaning, yard work, paperwork, as there tends to be an avalanche of that which follows medical advise, particularly when insurance is involved, etc.
Also, I want to remind people that many of the providers at Lumigrate are available for individuals or systems/groups for consulting or coaching. Martine's story and my own have the 'overlap' that we're now experienced with this and are wanting to share our expertise with others. ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [3] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!