Exploring the Quality of Communication Between Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Physicians: Results of a Global Online Survey

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a disease that can cause swollen and painful joints, as well as skin psoriasis. To effectively treat PsA, it is important that doctors and patients communicate well. We used a survey to ask patients with PsA and doctors from around the world about their communications about PsA. We also asked how PsA affects patients’ quality of life. In total, 1286 patients and 1553 doctors took the survey. Most patients said that PsA affected their social and work lives. Similarly, PsA had a negative impact on physical activity and on emotional and/or mental wellbeing in most patients who answered the survey. Doctors answered similarly, but they were generally less likely to recognize how severely PsA can impact patients, compared with patients themselves. Most patients and doctors were happy with their patient–doctor communication, and most patients felt comfortable talking about their worries and/or fears with their doctor. However, some patients (about four out of 10) felt that communication with their doctors was not good; these patients were less likely/comfortable to talk about their PsA symptoms and the impacts of PsA with their doctor. PsA was also more likely to negatively impact these patients’ quality of life. This survey shows that it is important to find ways to improve communication between patients with PsA and their doctors.