Counseling Points - December 2008 - (Page 9)

• proactive pain management; • physical activity; • disease progression; • diet; and • quality of life issues. Due to the number of new IV medications available for RA treatment, there also is a need to educate health care providers about: • IV medication management; • issues relating to recurrent vascular access; • therapy targets; and • reimbursement. The health care provider’s ability to act as a patient advocate is an essential part of successful disease management. RA patients typically have questions related to dis- ease information and payment for treatment. The following sections outline some of the best resources that are available online to assist our patients with their concerns. Patient Resources Table 2 provides an alphabetical listing of urls for reputable websites containing information for patients about RA. The Arthritis Foundation website is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand resource for patients.19 The organization was founded in 1948 and is the largest not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding over $380 million in research grants since its inception. Its mission is to “help people take control of arthritis” by providing public health education, pursuing public policy and legislation, and conducting evidence-based programs to improve patient quality of life.19 There are many sections Table 2. Reputable Websites Organization Patient Websites The Arthritis Foundation American College of Rheumatology Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center Mayo Clinic MedicineNet Medline Plus National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Health Care Professional Websites American College of Rheumatology www.rheumatology.org www.arthritis.org/ www.rheumatology.org/public/index.asp?aud=pat www.cdc.gov/arthritis/arthritis/rheumatoid.htm www.hopkins-arthritis.org/ www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020 www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp http://medlineplus.gov/ www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp Website Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine http://nccam.nih.gov/ Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals Infusion Nurses Society National Institutes of Health Clinical Trial Registry Rheumatology Nurses Society www.rheumatology.org/arhp/index.asp www.ins1.org www.clinicaltrials.gov/ www.rns-network.org 9 DECEMBER 2008 http://www.arthritis.org/ http://www.rheumatology.org/public/index.asp?aud=pat http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/arthritis/rheumatoid.htm http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp http://medlineplus.gov/ http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp http://www.rheumatology.org http://nccam.nih.gov/ http://www.rheumatology.org/arhp/index.asp http://www.ins1.org http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ http://www.rns-network.org

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