How Much Information and Participation Do Patients with Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases Prefer in Interaction with Physicians? Results of a Participatory Research Project.

Whereas patients consistently welcome comprehensive information about their disease and its different treatment options, not all patients wish to be involved in therapeutic decisions. Especially older patients with lower education status and lower health literacy, but higher confidence in their rheumatologist tend to leave the decisions rather to the physician. Different preferences should be considered in the doctor-patient communication.