Laurie

Patient Partner

Laurie Proulx has lived with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis for 28 years and it is her experiences that led to her involvement as a patient partner in research. She has worked as a patient partner in a variety of research projects such as pediatric rheumatology, shared decision-making, clinical practice guidelines, maternal health, workplace, and most recently surgical safety. Laurie has served as a patient engagement ambassador presenting at the SPOR Summit and the Surgical Safety Network. She is an advocate of early engagement between patients and researchers, believes in the power of teamwork, and building positive relationships.

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• Challenging Experiences – Laurie
  
• Challenging Experiences – Laurie (2)
  Learning terminology can be difficult for patient partners, and even some researchers, when you are not familiar with a specific area of research, says Laurie
• Endocrine (hormone) therapy – Laurie
  Laurie wonders why some women stop taking hormones.
• Radiation therapy – Laurie (2)
  After her Goldilocks mastectomy, Laurie researched her options and discussed them with the radio-oncologist.
• Radiation therapy – Laurie
  Laurie was determined to keep swimming and came up with a novel approach.
• Chemotherapy – Laurie
  Laurie requested more testing, did her own research, and then presented her recommendation to her doctor.
• Reconstruction surgery – Laurie (2)
  Laurie wondered if there were other options than a mastectomy.
• Reconstruction surgery – Laurie
  A Goldilocks mastectomy was exactly what Laurie wanted.
• Managing within the health care system – Laurie (2)
  To collect more information about her illness status Laurie requested an oncotype test even though she was not entitled to this test.
• Managing within the health care system – Laurie
  Laurie thinks that people can be better informed about their own illness.