Older Patients Want Information

A recent poll of 600 mostlyolder adults with rheumatoidarthritis (RA) found that mostpatients want as much informationon their disease as they can get,but they would prefer leaving thetreatment choices to their physicians.The poll showed nearly universalagreement that patientsshould get full information aboutRA, including its physical effects,the side effects of any medications,and details about any laboratorytests their doctors mayorder for them. The majority ofthose polled thought that theirdoctors should initiate discussionsabout these issues, however,rather than waiting for the patientsto ask about them. About 22%thought that their doctors had notgiven them enough information onRA and its treatment.

The poll also showed thatpatients preferred not to take thelead in making decisions regardingtreatment. In fact, 75% agreedthat "important medical decisions"should be made by their doctors,and even more thought that theirdoctors should take greater controlas the RA grew worse.