Professional Societies, Patient-Related Support Groups, and Patient Advocacy
摘要
Patient advocacy has been a longstanding pillar of the HCM community and has led to influential organizations like the HCM Association and legislation such as “Lindsay’s Law,” as well as online communities tied to notable hospital networks and both blogs and discussion boards. These individuals and organizations are increasingly important in raising the patient voice, as well as organizing both the patient and physician community into a more forceful, impactful, and goal-directed community. More recently, the medical provider community has organized itself into a fledgling HCM Society, with aims to standardize medical care, provide uniform national and international education, spur research and innovation, and help train the next generation of multi-disciplinary HCM clinical and thought leaders. Together, patients and physicians championing HCM care are working together to raise awareness and improve outcomes for this challenging yet highly prevalent population of patients.