17
January
2019
|
07:00 AM
America/New_York

Social & Psychological Elements Are Vital to Rheumatology Care

The Rheumatologist reports on the importance of both social and psychological aspects of rheumatological care and covers a presentation at the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting.

Jillian Rose, LCSW, MPH, director of community engagement, diversity and research at HSS, explains that biases can be rooted in race, age or gender - and all have real consequences.

"Not assessing social history or challenges can lead to inappropriate care, such as a patient not being able to afford the medication we prescribe," Rose says. "That treatment has fallen apart as soon as that patient has left the room."

Adena Batterman, MSW, LCSW, senior manager of inflammatory arthritis support and education programs at HSS, explains that rheumatic disease has a profound impact on patients physically and emotionally. In order to provide patient-centered empathic care, you must pay attention to both.

"Each patient who walks into our office has their own unique story and background, so we must broaden the focus of our inquiry and discussion like the lens of a camera," Batterman says. "It requires adjusting and widening the field of vision."

Read the full article at The-Rheumatologist.org.