Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is a Patient Advisor? 

Answer: As you will learn in the course, Patient Advisors help develop research studies and improve care for other patients with vascular diseases. Patient Advisors work with researchers to provide their insight about what is really important in research. For example, you may read plans for future research studies and share your thoughts with the researcher about any problems you might see in the study. You may also talk with a researcher about your experiences with a disease, and about some of the challenges you had in getting good care for your disease.

Question: What is Vascular Disease?

Answer: Vascular disease are different conditions that involve the blood vessels of the body. As we age, our blood vessels can get build up of fatty plaque and develop weak spots that can bulge out. Both conditions can reduce blood flow around the body. Common vascular diseases include peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid stenosis, abdominal aortic aneurism, atherosclerosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.

Question: Why should I become a Patient Advisor?

Answer: Your input will help researchers, doctors and nurses design studies that will improve care options for people with vascular disease by enabling them to better account for patients’ needs and circumstances.

Question: Why should I take the course and what will I learn?

Answer: You will learn about vascular disease, the process of research and how you can help to guide new research. At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate designating you as an official Patient Advisor. After being certified, you can work with researchers on their studies. We will also select 10 to 15 Patient Advisors to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting in San Diego, California in June 2017.

Question: How much time do I need to participate in the Patient Advisors Course? 

Answer: You will need 1 to 3 hours per module, over 3 modules. The course may take up to 8 hours to complete. You will log into a website to see a list of articles to read, videos to watch, and short assignments to complete. You can complete this work at any time. Additionally, before starting the course, you can participate in a course orientation can take up to another hour to complete. After the course is done, you will need to complete a short survey that can take 15 minutes.

Question: What is the cost for the Patient Advisors Course? 

Answer: There is no cost other than your time. We can offer this course to you for free because the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the Society for Vascular Surgery, and Society for Vascular Nursing have provided the funds to run the course.

Question: What technology do I need to participate in the Patient Advisors Course? 

Answer: You will need a computer (Windows, Mac, Android or iPad) that can connect to the internet. You will also need an email address to register for the course and receive course-related communication. Some of the articles are shared as PDF files, so you will need software that will allow you to read PDF files. Most computers and tablets already have this software installed.

Question: What’s happening at the Vascular Annual Meeting in 2017? 

Answer: The Vascular Annual Meeting is a scientific conference for researchers, patients, doctors and nurses who are interested in vascular disease. All of the Patient Advisors can apply to attend the Vascular Annual Meeting, and 15 Patient Advisors will be selected to receive a grant to pay for all of your costs to attend, including travel. At the Vascular Annual Meeting, Patient Advisors will learn about the newest treatments for vascular disease, meet with researchers, doctors and nurses, and share their own story of vascular disease.

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