Patient decision aids (PtDA) are tools that rheumatologists use as a supplement to the clinical discussion. 

We have developed and used these PtDA with hundreds of patients with rheumatic diseases considering new high stakes therapies.

The use of PtDA is an important strategy to support doctor – patient dialogues and to encourage shared decision making. Start with an Option Table, which is appropriate for your decision, to narrow the medication choices. Option Tables summarize and compare the features of new disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). After narrowing down your choices to 1 or 2 medications you should then dig deeper by reviewing one or more drug specific Patient Decision Aids. These decision aids aim to present medications in a clear, accurate, and balanced way.  They walk the reader through a decision so you know more about facts and pause to think about what matters most. This should help you feel well prepared to make a informed decision with your doctor.

Option Table Decision Aids

Rheumatoid Arthritis1st DMARD
Option Table		 2nd DMARD
Option Table		 3rd DMARD
Option Table
Psoriatic ArthritisArthritis
Option Table		Spondylitis
Option Table
SclerodermaProgressive
Skin Disease		Pulmonary
Fibrosis		Raynauds and
Finger Ulcers
Systemic Lupus
Erythematosis		Skin diseaseArthritis and
Pleural disease		Kidney disease

Medication Specific Patient Decision Aids

  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Methotrexate
  • Leflunomide
  • Azathioprine
  • Mycophenolate Mofetil
  • Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors
  • TNF blocking agents
  • Abatacept
  • IL-6 blocking agents
  • B-cell depleting agents
  • IL-1 blocking agents
  • IL-17 blocking agents
  • IL-12/23 blocking agents