Living with a rheumatic disease presents unique challenges, but patients have the power to live better and become more informed about issues affecting their care thanks to new ACR tools launched this September as part of Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM).
“A month dedicated to rheumatic disease awareness provides the perfect opportunity for rheumatologists to empower their patients in actions that can lead them to a better quality of life,” according to Christopher A. Mecoli, MD, MHS, a member of the ACR’s Communications and Marketing Committee and a rheumatologist and instructor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.
“It’s common for patients and their providers to focus on the medications to manage their disease; however, understanding other aspects of rheumatology care, such as fitness, diet and advocacy, can be enlightening and powerful, and this can begin with open and honest communication between patients and providers,” Dr. Mecoli says.
He shares how patients and providers can start this conversation by leveraging the ACR’s new tools: the patient Pledge to Live Well and the Rheumatic Disease Report Card.