The FINANCIAL — Pfizer announced results from the second phase of its global RA surveys, which assessed the relationship between physician-patient communication and overall RA disease management. The findings from more than 1,700 rheumatologists in 15 countries builds upon results from the global patient survey findings, released in 2015, involving 3,900 adults living with RA.
The combined survey data demonstrate disconnects between patients and physicians across multiple aspects of RA disease management. Most strikingly, new data from the physician survey revealed that two in three physicians stated that their patients living with RA say they feel “good enough” even though clinical assessments indicated active disease.
The findings show that the majority of physicians believed that setting treatment goals (78%) and developing a disease management plan (74%) with their patients is essential for the successful management of RA. Yet, corresponding results from the patient survey revealed that few have shared their treatment goals or even realize that they have a disease management plan in place.
“Physicians are likely discussing both goals and disease management plans with their patients; however, patients may not be aware due to differences in the language or terminology used when discussing these measures,” said RA NarRAtive Advisory Panel Co-Chair Dr. Alan Gibofsky, Rheumatologist, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY. “These potential communication gaps confirm the need for a joint commitment to improved dialogue focused on changing the narrative around the management of RA.”
The addition of the physician findings provides further insights into similarities and differences in physician and patient perspectives.
Many not benefiting from shared-decision making: According to most physicians, people living with RA who are involved in making treatment decisions tend to be more satisfied with their treatment experience than those who are not as involved. And, while patients and physicians alike noted that they are satisfied with the communication they have about RA treatment, more than half of patients reported feeling uncomfortable raising concerns and fears with their physician and many worried that if they ask too many questions, it will affect the quality of their care.1
Physician and patients can have different disease management priorities: Physicians are more likely to discuss side effects and their patients’ ability to adhere to their prescribed medication regimen than they are to discuss quality of life issues. This is despite the fact that more than half of the surveyed patients are worried that their RA will negatively affect their overall quality of life.
Patient advocacy groups appear to be underutilized: Although four in five physicians believed that patients who participate in RA support groups tend to be better able to live with RA, less than one quarter of patients currently participate in a support or patient advocacy group.1
“Closing the gaps in communication between patient and physician can help improve RA management,” says Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer. “We look forward to applying the learnings of the RA NarRAtive survey to tools and resources that can facilitate effective dialogue.”
What’s Next for the RA NarRAtive Initiative
The RA NarRAtive Advisory Panel aims to develop tools and resources to help improve patient-physician dialogue identified by the study findings. These solutions will strive to change the narrative around RA to bridge gaps between beliefs and practices, and overall improve management of RA.
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