Are We on the Same Page? A Cross-Sectional Study of Patient-Clinician Goal Concordance in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Patient-clinician goal concordance is associated with improved outcomes in certain chronic diseases but not explored in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We examined goal concordance, correlates of concordance, and the association of concordance with health outcomes. METHODS: Adult patients with RA seen at least 1 time in the prior 12 months at 1 of 2 rheumatology clinics participated. Patients and their clinicians independently ranked top 3 goals for RA treatment from 8 options before a routine visit. Patients completed postvisit surveys on health, demographic information, health literacy, and adherence. Goal concordance was defined as the patient's number 1 goal being among the clinician's top 3 goals for that patient. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine correlates of concordance. RESULTS: Patients were 58% female and 16% Spanish-speaking, and 29% had limited health literacy. Among 204 patient-clinician dyads, 20% were goal-discordant. "Have less pain" was selected by both patient and clinician in 81% of dyads, followed by "have fewer problems doing daily activities" by 63%. Otherwise, clinicians prioritized avoiding side effects, whereas patients ranked improved sleep, fatigue, and mood. Longer disease duration was associated with discordance (median 13.3 years, interquartile range [IQR] 5.2-20 among discordant vs. 7 years, IQR 4-14; P = 0.039); higher depressive symptoms were associated with concordance (8.1% vs. 24%; P = 0.04). Goal concordance was associated with higher medication adherence (adjusted odds ratio 2.76 [95% confidence interval 1.01, 7.56]). CONCLUSION: One in 5 patient-clinician dyads had discordant treatment goals. Goal concordance was associated with higher medication adherence. Studies to improve goal elicitation and communication of patients with RA's priorities are needed.

A Comparison of Safety, Health, and Well-Being Risk Factors Across Five Occupational Samples.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present safety, health and well-being profiles of workers within five occupations: call center work (N = 139), corrections (N = 85), construction (N = 348), homecare (N = 149), and parks and recreation (N = 178). Methods: Baseline data from the Data Repository of Oregon's Healthy Workforce Center were used. Measures were compared with clinical healthcare guidelines and national norms. Results: The prevalence of health and safety risks for adults was as follows: overweight (83.2%), high blood pressure (16.4%), injury causing lost work (9.9%), and reported pain (47.0%). Young workers were least likely to report adequate sleep (46.6%). Construction workers reported the highest rate of smoking (20.7%). All of the adult workers reported significantly lower general health than the general population. Conclusion: The number of workers experiencing poor safety, health and well-being outcomes suggest the need for improved working conditions.

Experience and Context Shape Patient and Clinician Goals For Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Alignment of patient and clinician goals, which is central to effective patient-centered care, has been linked to improved patient experience and outcomes but has not been explored in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to analyze goal conceptualization among RA patients and clinicians. METHODS: Seven focus groups and 1 semi-structured interview were conducted with RA patients and clinicians who were recruited from 4 rheumatology clinics. An interview guide was developed to explore goal concordance related to RA treatment. Researchers utilized a concurrent deductive-inductive data analysis approach. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (mean age 55 years, 74% female, 32% non-white, and 26% Spanish-speaking) and 18 clinicians (44% trainees, 44% female, 28% non-white) participated. Across clinician and patient focus groups, the 2 identified domains were patient knowledge of RA and psychosocial dynamics (stress) in RA treatment. Within the knowledge domain, 3 themes emerged: RA knowledge for informed choice, RA knowledge to ensure adherence and medication safety, and clinician assumption of patient inability to interpret information. Within the second domain of RA and stress, 2 themes emerged: patient illness experience informs treatment context in ways that are not shared by clinicians, and the impact of patient-clinician communication and decision-making on goal concordance. CONCLUSION: Knowledge is a shared goal, but RA patients and clinicians hold divergent attitudes towards this goal. While knowledge is integral to self-management and effective shared decision-making, mismatches in attitudes may lead to suboptimal communication. Tools to support patient goal-directed RA care may promote high quality patient-centered care and result in reduced disparities.

Patient goals in rheumatoid arthritis care: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: During the clinical encounter, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient goals for care often go unexplored. The aim of the present systematic review was to identify needs, goals and expectations of RA patients in order better to guide systematic elicitation of patient goals in clinical encounters. METHODS: An academic librarian searched MEDLINE, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Library using a specialized algorithm developed to identify articles about patient goals for RA care. Investigators screened search results according to prespecified inclusion criteria and then reviewed included articles and synthesized the evidence qualitatively, utilizing an inductive approach. RESULTS: A total of 909 titles were retrieved in the literature search, of which 871 were excluded after a title/abstract screen. Of the remaining 38, 22 papers were included in the final review. Investigators identified four major themes in the literature: (a) the bodily experience of RA; (b) achieving normalcy and maintaining wellness; (c) social connectedness and support; and (d) interpersonal and healthcare system interactions. CONCLUSION: Patients' goals when receiving care for RA are multidimensional and span several facets of everyday life. Goals for RA care should be collaboratively developed between patients and providers, with particular attention to the patient's life context and priorities.