The patient's journey: rheumatoid arthritis

Exploring the healthcare journey of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A mapping project – implications for practice

“…The results from this study are supported by similar quantitative and qualitative fi ndings exploring disparities in care access to services and the consequences to the patient (Albers et al, 1999;Baker and Graham, 2001;Barrett et al, 2000;Edwards et al, 2005;Lapsley and Groves, 2004;Hallert et al, 2005;Hulsemann et al, 2005;Ryan, et al, 2003;Simpson et al, 2005). Individuals themselves fail to seek medical advice when they experience joint pain, possibly refl ecting the lay perspectives that 'nothing that can be done for Delivering high-quality, transparent and equitable care remains a constant challenge in healthcare provision, and clinicians should be mindful that specifi c targets and initiatives to improve care may not always bring the desired benefi ts or reveal the true experience of those using the services.…”

“…The NRAS membership prompted this study following reports of disparities between care received and standards of care recognized as accepted by national guidelines. Research and audit projects suggest that standards and guidelines are not always met (Auditor General for Scotland, 2005;Hyrich et al, 2006;Lacaille et al, 2005;Redsell et al, 2006;Richards and Coulter, 2007;Woolf et al, 2004), yet the impact on the individual and on society are less well reported (Simpson et al, 2005).…”

Illness beliefs predict disability in rheumatoid arthritis

“…There is no cure for RA and treatments are only partially effective [4], so exploring individual differences that mediate between RA, adjustment and subsequent quality of life (QoL) is a priority. The uncertain course of the illness involves loss of function, considerable discomfort, and possible disability and deformity, placing a significant burden upon the individual and their family [5]. This, in turn may impact on perceived QoL, commonly used as a measure of adjustment to chronic disease.…”

Implications of long-term conditions for both mental and physical health: comparison of rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia

“…Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic auto-immune disease in which symmetrical inflammatory polyarthritis is the primary clinical manifestation [10,11]. The peak onset is in middle to late adults years [11], and the condition is long-term, unpredictable in treatment response, and can show sudden exacerbations which may be severely disabling, with high direct and indirect medical and social costs, including a reduction in quality of life [12][13][14][15].…”