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Final Program


Schedule at a Glance
Legend
Program: Scientific Session
General Topic: ARP

Improving Health Literacy and Communication in Rheumatic Disease Patients

Monday, October 27, 2025
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Central Time
CE: 1

    Moderator(s)

  • Kristen Young, DO

    Mayo Clinic
    Phoenix, AZ, United States

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose

  • Annelle Reed, MSN, CPNP

    UAB Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, COA
    Tuscaloosa, AL, United States

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose

    • Session Coordinator(s)

  • CP

    Clare Peckenpaugh, n/a

    University of Utah Department of Pediatrics
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

Enhancing health literacy is essential for rheumatic disease patients to effectively manage their condition on a daily basis. Patients with higher health literacy experience better outcomes and improved quality of life. In this session, panelists will present innovative strategies to improve patients' health literacy by providing evidence-based information and combating misinformation on social media, YouTube, and online platforms. Panelists will also outline specific methods to empower patients in critically assessing credible information, evaluating treatment and self-management options, and making well-informed decisions about their care. Additionally, the session will explore techniques for improving patient-provider communication, utilizing empathic communication frameworks and building trust to support shared decision-making.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify strategies, including using social media and support and self-management groups, to enhance health literacy in rheumatic disease patients, empowering them to manage their condition and improve their quality of life effectively
  • Learn methods to strengthen healthcare providers’ ability to deliver educational interventions in the clinic and beyond, helping patients critically evaluate credible information and make informed decisions about treatment and self-management
  • Explore techniques and resources to improve patient-provider communication, focusing on empathic communication frameworks and building trust to support shared decision-making

Presentations:

  • 4:00 PM - 4:20 PM Central Time
    Breaking Walls, Building Trust: Reaching Autoimmune Patients Globally Through YouTube

    Speaker: Diana Girnita, MD, PhD – Rheumatologist OnCall

  • 4:20 PM - 4:40 PM Central Time
    FroSocial Media to Support Groups: How to Improve Patient Health Literacy

    Speaker: Cheryl Crow, OT – Arthritis Life

  • 4:40 PM - 5:00 PM Central Time
    Health Literacy Beyond the Textbook: A Patient’s Perspective

    Speaker: Eileen Davidson – Arthritis Research Canada