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 Arthritis | 1st DMARD Option Table | 2nd DMARD Option Table | 3rd DMARD Option Table |
Psoriatic Arthritis | Arthritis Option Table | Spondylitis Option Table | |
Scleroderma | Progressive Skin Disease | Pulmonary Fibrosis | Raynauds and Finger Ulcers |
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis | Skin disease | Arthritis 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