Rheumatoid Arthritis

Focusing on Communication, Adherence, and Treatment Guidelines May Improve Provider Satisfaction1-3

Suboptimal communication between patients and providers can be a barrier to care1,2

  • Improved dialogue allows patients to express expectations or concerns, allowing physicians to take targeted action.1
  • Shared decision-making when establishing treatment goals may improve outcomes.1
  • Enhanced communication may lead to necessary treatment adjustments.2

Patient adherence to therapy is an ongoing challenge3

  • Medication adherence can depend on the patient’s level of information and the quality of interaction with the rheumatologist.3
  • The multidisciplinary care team can encourage adherence.3

It is recommended that clinicians routinely follow evidence-based treatment guidelines2,3

  • RA treatment has evolved as a result of the treat-to-target (T2T) approach recommended by the American College of Rheumatology.2,3
  • However, provider adherence to T2T recommendations may be low, despite the considerable evidence demonstrating their effectiveness.3
medication adherence graphic
flare up adherence graphic

Resources are available to help implement and optimize electronic health record (EHR) solutions:

Use these instructions for creating Medical Favorites in your EHR system
Use these instructions for creating Population Identification Reports in your EHR system
View considerations for leveraging EHR for biosimilar adoption
Use these instructions for creating Medical Favorites in your EHR system
Use these instructions for creating Population Identification Reports in your EHR system
View considerations for leveraging EHR for biosimilar adoption
 
 

1. Gibofsky A, Galloway J, Kekow J, et al. Comparison of patient and physician perspectives in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: results from global physician- and patient-based surveys. Health Quality Life Outcomes. 2018;16(1):211. 2. Gavigan K, Nowell WB, Serna MS, et al. Barriers to treatment optimization and achievement of patients’ goals: perspectives from people living with rheumatoid arthritis enrolled in the ArthritisPower registry. Arthritis Res Ther. 2020;22(1):4. 3. Smolen JS, Breedveld FC, Burmester GR, et al. Treating rheumatoid arthritis to target: 2014 update of the recommendations of an international task force. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016;75(1):3-15. 4. Tymms K, Zochling J, Scott J, et al. Barriers to optimal disease control for rheumatoid arthritis patients with moderate and high disease activity. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014;66(2):190-196.