ABSTRACT
Review of the evidence on patient-centred care (PCC) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shows that involving the patient as an individual - with unique needs, concerns and preferences - has a relevant impact on treatment outcomes (safety, effectiveness and costs). This approach empowers patients to take personal responsibility for their treatment. Because clinicians are only able to interact personally with their patients just a few hours per year, patients with a chronic condition such as RA should be actively involved in the management of their disease. To stimulate this active role, five different PCC activities can be distinguished: (1) patient education, (2) patient involvement/shared decision-making, (3) patient empowerment/self-management, (4) involvement of family and friends and (5) physical and emotional support. This article reviews the existing knowledge on these five PCC activities in the context of established RA management, especially focused on opportunities to increase medication adherence in established RA.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy , Patient-Centered Care , Chronic Disease , Decision Making , Emotions , Humans , Medication Adherence , Patient Education as Topic , Patient Participation , Self Care , Social SupportABSTRACT
Sexual abuse in Asian ethnic minority populations in the UK has not previously been investigated. There remain professionals as well as lay people who deny its existence on the basis of assumptions about culture and religion. This retrospective study highlights the existence and difference in the incidence, pattern of presentation, and management in cases of Asian sexual abuse compared with that reported on the indigenous population.
