press releases
web
print
television
radio

(VANCOUVER) — Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) today announced the launch of its newest on-line patient education course: JointHealth™ Education Advanced Therapies for Inflammatory Arthritis. This three-lesson course is designed to help patients living with inflammatory arthritis identify when the appropriate time to transition from conventional synthetic disease modifying medications (csDMARDs) to an advanced therapy, such as a targeted synthetic DMARD or biologic DMARD, and what key questions to ask about how they are taken and how they work in the body.

“JointHealth™ Education was inspired by many of ACE’s members living with an inflammatory arthritis who have told us they lack the knowledge and communications skills to have full, satisfying conversations with their rheumatologists on topics such as treatment options during their appointments. We want to ensure patients have the tools to understand when they need to start thinking about a therapy change. Patients like me often wait too long to make treatment plan adjustments, such as moving to an advanced therapy,” said Cheryl Koehn, Founder and President of Arthritis Consumer Experts.

“Canadian rheumatologists have been actively discussing and pursuing ways to improve communication between patients and rheumatologists in order to work together to set treatment goals and establish a treatment plan to achieve the best possible disease outcomes. JointHealth™ Education Advanced Therapies is a great course not just for patients, but also for rheumatologists – junior and senior, alike. We need to see our patient’s experiences, needs and goals through their eyes and words,” said Kam Shojania, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Professor and Head, Division of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia, and Medical Director of the Mary Pack Arthritis Program.

The JointHealth™ Education program provides current, evidence-informed lessons, quizzes and coaching videos through a secure, on-line classroom where they can learn from the comfort of their own home or over the work day lunch hour. The program helps prepare patients to appropriately frame their health concerns and questions with their health care provider. Upon successful completion of a course the patient “Graduate” receives a certificate indicating they have the knowledge and communication tips needed to successfully prepare for their medical visit, talk to their healthcare provider about setting treatment goals and making an overall plan, discuss specific treatments to manage and monitor their type of arthritis.

About Arthritis Consumer Experts

Arthritis Consumer Experts is a national organization that provides free, science-based information and education programs in both official languages to people with arthritis. ACE serves people living with all forms of arthritis by helping them take control of their disease and improve their quality of life through education and empowerment. Founded and led by people with arthritis, ACE also actively advocates on arthritis health and policy issues, through ACE's JointHealth™ family of programs and the Arthritis Broadcast Network, directly to consumers/patients, healthcare professionals, media and government. ACE is guided by a strict set of guiding principles, set out by an advisory board comprised of leading scientists, medical professionals and informed arthritis consumers.

- 30 -

For further information, please contact:
Kelly Lendvoy
Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs
Arthritis Consumer Experts
lendvoy@jointhealth.org
direct: 604.974.1129

JointHealth™ Programs

• education
• arthritis at home
• best arthritis workplaces
• insight
• express
• report card
• podcast
• ACE National surveys