When Dr. Sarah Schafer of Sjogren’s Advocate and I created the masterclass Streamlining Sjogren’s: How to Navigate a Path to Diagnosis and Treatment, our goal was simple: give patients a clear roadmap to understanding Sjogren’s disease, which is far too often misunderstood and dismissed.
We poured months into building a five-hour video masterclass with downloadable resources that walk through what Sjogren’s is, why diagnosis can be difficult, how to build a knowledgeable care team, what appointments should look like, and what treatment conversations may involve. It provides a clinical perspective through the lens of patient advocacy.
The feedback from students has been deeply encouraging. One learner recently shared:
“Streamlining Sjogren’s has been an invaluable resource for me. I ordered this course at a time when I was facing obstacles to getting a firm diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It gave me the confidence not to waste time with clinicians who dismissed my symptoms and concerns because I was antibody negative. I was able to achieve a confirmed diagnosis in just eight months after seeing a fourth rheumatologist, largely thanks to the information and support I gained from the suggestions in Streamlining Sjogren’s. I continue to refer to it as I put together a team of providers to appropriately address my disease, along with several other overlapping autoimmune illnesses that have been identified in the process. It’s obvious that a lot of care and effort went into the creation of this course, which I highly recommend for anyone seeking answers.”
Hearing stories like this reminds us why the course exists in the first place. We are dedicated to helping patients cut time to the answers and care they deserve.
But we also heard something else…
Many people told us the course looked incredibly thoughtful and helpful, but the full price felt out of reach, especially for those already juggling medical expenses. And we understand that saying, “Well, it’s five hours of instruction and 10 downloadable resources!” doesn’t change the reality that budgets are tight, energy is limited, and patients deserve flexible options.
Instead of lowering quality, we decided to increase accessibility.
Introducing Streamlining Sjogren’s Mini Courses
We’ve taken the core modules from the full Streamlining Sjogren’s masterclass and made them available as smaller, topic-focused classes. Each one is designed to stand on its own, so you can choose only what you need, when you need it.
Think of them as focused, bite-sized sessions on high-impact topics such as:
• Understanding Sjogren’s disease and the diagnostic challenges
• How to build your Sjogren’s healthcare team
• How to get the most out of your appointments
• Understanding treatment options & living well with the disease
Same quality. Same research-based, patient-centered approach. Just easier to afford and digest.
If you already own Streamlining Sjogren’s the masterclass, you do not need to buy the mini courses. You already have access to everything included in them, plus one additional module that is not part of the mini-course bundle. Nothing is being taken away. Your course remains the most comprehensive version.
We simply wanted to make the material more reachable for people who aren’t in a position to purchase everything at once.
Because, let me say again for those in the back, Sjogren’s is not “just dryness.” It is a systemic autoimmune disease that deserves informed, thoughtful care. Patients shouldn’t have to spend years confused, invalidated, or unsure how to advocate for themselves.
Education doesn’t replace medical care, but it does make conversations clearer, decisions less overwhelming, and next steps easier to understand.
That’s why we’re so excited to open up this new pathway. If you’ve been curious about Streamlining Sjogren’s but hesitated because of cost, the mini courses may be a better entry point. Start with the topic that feels most pressing right now and build from there.
Browse all four mini courses at https://resources.littleenginepatientadvocacy.com/
Happy learning!
Little Engine Patient Advocacy 
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