"We conducted a survey that demonstrated a lack of RA knowledge among patients across the globe. These knowledge gaps can lead to a lack of effective communication between people with RA and their physicians," said RA: Join the Fight advisory committee member Janice Mooney, Senior Lecturer, Primary Care, University of East Anglia, Norwich, England. "The new tools we're providing help empower patients to speak out about their RA with their family, friends and physicians."
Included among the new tools and resources is an interactive discussion guide to help people with RA develop a management plan with their physicians, as well as information for caregivers and loved ones of people with RA. All of the new educational resources were developed as a result of needs identified in the largest multinational survey of people with RA to date. Commissioned by RA: Join the Fightand AbbVie, the survey revealed the need for greater awareness of RA and resources that may help people better manage their condition.
Underscoring the purpose of the new quiz, tools, and resources, this disease education initiative is also launching the RA: Join the Fight Photo Project, calling on the international RA community to submit images illustrating the physical and emotional impact of living with RA. People who submit photos can encourage their friends and family to support them by visiting RAJointheFight.com and voting for their photo.
"As part of our holistic commitment to impacting rheumatology care, AbbVie has worked in conjunction with international leaders in rheumatology to establish RA: Join the Fight," said Isidro Villanueva, MD, PhD, group therapeutic area lead, Medical Affairs, Immunology, at AbbVie. "We're excited to launch these new initiatives to bring additional awareness to RA and more support to those impacted by RA worldwide."
Source: AbbVie, abbvie.com
