Rheumacensus
Navigating healthcare appointments with confidence
The challenges that come with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can be varied, which calls for a personalised approach to care. Shared decision-making encapsulates this idea by bringing together the expertise of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the lived experience of those with axSpA to create a strong alliance in the management of healthcare decisions. RHEUMACENSUS, an initiative led by HCPs, payors and patient representatives, is dedicated to elevating the standard of care for patients with axSpA. With the support of UCB, the initiative has launched a step-by-step guide to help patients prepare for their healthcare appointments. A similar guide has also been developed to support those with psoriatic arthritis.
How do these guides work?
Patients often feel rushed during their appointments, highlighting the need to create a tool that empowers them. By providing a step-by-step approach to follow and prepare for healthcare appointments, these guides encourage patients to consider:
1. Their current condition, goals for treatment and what they want to discuss in their appointment
2. Their role in making decisions about their management plan
3. How to communicate effectively with their healthcare team in both in-clinic and virtual appointments
Complete with prompts and examples of key questions that patients can ask, these consultation guides help to ensure that patient concerns are fully addressed. This is important to enable patients to gain a deeper understanding of their disease and management options.
This tool is also available for HCPs to offer and share with their patients, and ultimately aims to help patients achieve improved health outcomes.
View your copy of the axSpA consultation guide here.
ASIF is proud to have been involved in the development of the Guide. Andri Phoka, ASIF Trustee, provided input and guidance as a member of the Rheumacensus Consensus Council Members and was the lead on the axSpA patient representatives committee.
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