As the years pass and more is done in the Celiac Disease community to promote awareness, I am still amazed that there is one group that still seems to be in the dark-
Doctors
Through being a blogger, a president of a local support group, and a gluten-free fair organizer, I hear story after story of doctors who were not knowledgeable or downright negligent. I've heard stories of people who felt like they were close to death because doctors wouldn't run tests, stories of uneducated dietitians who told their patients to eat more wheat, and stories of doctors who told their client that they just needed to take an anti-depressant.
Enough is enough. This year for my birthday, which also happens to be Celiac Awareness Day, I want to call on my fellow bloggers, friends and followers to help educate their primary care physicians, their nurses, their dentists - anyone in the medical field- to take the time to educate themselves about Celiac Disease.
There are many ways that medical personnel can educate themselves. Some are free online and able to be done at their own leisure. Some are on-site, intensive, and require fees to be paid. Both of these are helpful and important. Please consider sharing these links and information with your medical personnel. I am listing them in the order of easiest to most involved.
Entry Level-
This online webinar from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatology and Nutrition is created by doctors that are knowledgeable and that I TRUST. Dr. Alessio Fasano is one of these doctors, and his book "Gluten Freedom" is a must read for everyone in my personal opinion, doctors or patients. If I could afford it, I would give a copy of this book to every doctor in Genesee County.
Don't let the name of the group presenting this webinar deter those whom you are sharing this with. "This activity is designed for pediatric and adult gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, trainees, dietitians, and other health care professionals who are involved in the care of patients with gluten related disorders."
This will take just over an hour of their time and they also get continuing education credits. There is no fee listed on the site. Win-win situation. This offer expires June 4, 2016
Invested level-
Harvard Medical School also offers an online training program. This course has a $40 fee, but they also get more continuing education credits as a result. This course is also created by doctors whose names can be trusted. This program is more "serious" as that participants cannot progress to the next section of the program without answering questions correctly. I LOVE this added feature! This offer ends July 29 2017
Devoted Level-
The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center offers a "one-of-a-kind preceptorship program." This center in Chicago is one of my most trusted hospitals doing research in the field today. While some doctors may be looking for a pill or treatment, U of C is looking for an actual CURE. Dr. Guandalini and his staff are at the forefront of research as well as assisting those already diagnosed.
Their program is an on-site training program at U of C that only takes place once a year. This year's event is in December. While it is $500 per doctor and $250 for nurses and dietitians, the knowledge they will learn will be incredibly invaluable. The knowledge they gain will save someone's life. Priceless.
Help me help others.
How? I'm asking you to share and ENCOURAGE your doctors and medical professionals to review this information. We need our health care providers to know the FACTS about Celiac Disease, not just what they heard from someone else or the opinions they have formed by comments of those following the gluten free fad.
Recently I was talking to someone who had been struggling with Celiac disease for 2 years because their doctor lacked knowledge and was negligent. After talking to her on the phone for at least 45 minutes she said to me, "After talking to you I FINALLY have HOPE."
Wow. While that honored amd humbled me, I was still heart broken that there are those living without hope due to ignorance. I just can't tolerate that anymore.
So that's the bottom line. This year, I want to be able to offer hope to others- hope that they no longer have to suffer, hope that they're not in this alone, hope that they can truly LIVE again.
Amen.
Labels: Living Gluten Free