In this episode, Cheryl Crow and Dr. Liana Fraenkel dive into the crucial concept of "Shared Decision Making" (SDM) in rheumatoid arthritis care. SDM is a collaborative approach where patients and doctors work together to develop a treatment plan. It empowers patients to express their preferences and values, while doctors listen actively and consider these when recommending treatments.

The discussion also touches on the role of education in SDM, especially when it comes to understanding the pros and cons of different medications. Cheryl and Dr. Fraenkel address medication hesitancy, highlighting research that shows how patients benefit from hearing not only from their doctors but also from others who have firsthand experience with rheumatic disease medications.

Finally, Dr. Fraenkel and Cheryl emphasize the importance of ongoing research in rheumatology and the need to strengthen the rheumatology workforce, given the current shortage. They explore the efforts of the Rheumatology Research Foundation and discuss ways for patients to get involved in supporting these vital initiatives.

Medical disclaimer:

All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode Sponsors

Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! 

For full episode details including a video and transcript:

Go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life Website.