What is the Patients’ Meeting
Background
In many countries there is disparity in the way patients with rheumatic conditions are treated and supported. Exchange of experiences and expertise on an international level may lead to better health outcomes and improve the relationship between patients and health professionals. Especially in the area of Lupus, medical knowledge of lupus and patient involvement varies so much within the different areas and countries. Some countries are crying out for help to enable patients to have accurate knowledge and support to help themselves cope with an illness that very few people in their countries seem to know about.
In the area of RA some countries have sophisticated educational and self-management programs, and recommendations for the management of the disease are available. Patients from many other countries would benefit from an international exchange program focusing on these developments.
Objectives
For the EiR conference 2012 we will start focusing on patients from different European countries.The objective is to enable patient delegates through plenary presentations and interactive breakout sessions to
- Learn about the management of their disease;
- Share personal experiences;
- Promote dialogues between patient delegates and health professionals.
- Exchange ideas for dissemination of the information;
- Work collaboratively afterwards to disseminate the information and knowledge they have received to their own patient communities.
