AiArthritis logo showing stylized infinite loop symbol in red with black dots, above organization name for International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis.

The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly (Book)

Using real life interactions to improve patient-rheumatologist in office communication

Thank you to our "Good, Bad, Ugly" Volunteer Committee for helping us make this project a reality (Kerry W., Judy F., Jody Q., Patrice J., Susan O., Deb C., Eileen D., Volunteer & Administrative Assistant Deeanne, Health Education and Engagement Manager, Leila,  and Tiffany our CEO for helping). If you are interested in helping with this or other projects at AiArthritis, sign up to volunteer!

Ready to tell your story?

Share your communication failure or success and, together, alongside rheumatologists, we can create guidance for best communication practices (for both patients and doctors) to improve patient-rheumatologist office visits in the future!

(Final resource will be a book - ebook and print copy!)

Submit Now!

Patient-Identified Problem

Our organization is led by people affected by AiArthritis diseases. These same leaders are active inside several online groups and communities and on social media. It seems almost daily we see posts about rheumatology office visits. Often they are bad - and even ugly, as it's not uncommon for patients to vent openly about these types of experiences with their peers. Since these types of stories are shared almost daily, we realized this is an issue that needs some attention. (While we don't hear as often about the good experiences, we know there are plenty of great examples of those, too!)

What You Can Do to Help Our Patient-Infused Solution

In an effort to improve office visits and patient experiences, we will be collecting YOUR stories and examples of Good, Bad, and just downright Ugly office visits. We will turn this collection into a book, along with guidance about what is good communication (written by patients and rheumies together!)


That's right - AiArthritis (patients) and rheumatologists will read your submissions and work together to create recommendations to improve office communications (citing YOUR examples!) 


To do this, we need YOUR stories! SUBMIT TODAY!


What rheumatology office experience stands out most to you (as good or bad) and why?

How did you feel when this event happened?

How did this encounter alter the way you manage your disease?

After this event happened, what advice do you have for others facing the same situation?

To solve this problem we need to get both patients AND rheumatologists involved in the conversation. And that's exactly what we did in this two part AiArthritis Voices 360 Talk Show RheumyRounds series, featuring Tiffany and Kerry (patients) with Dr. Lisa Zickhur (Ep 80) and Tiffany and Deb (patients) with Dr. Al Kim/Tiffany's own rheumy! (Ep 81). Take a listen as, together, patients and rheumatologists discuss various versions of Good, Bad, and Ugly office experiences from BOTH perspectives. They also start working on recommendations for best practices so both doctors and their patients can improve communication in office visits.

  • Episode 80: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Improving Office Visit Communication

    In this RheumyRounds Part One of two episodes, Tiffany Westrich-Robertson (axial spondyloarthritis) and Deb Constien (rheumatoid arthritis) are joined by rheumatologist Dr. Lisa Zickuhr to highlight the importance of communication, compassion and openness in bettering patient-doctor relationships. While we discuss a little of the Bad and Ugly, Lisa largely focuses on the Good.


    They also invite YOU to share YOUR Good, Bad, and Ugly office visit stories so, together, a team of patients and rheumies can work together to create recommendations for best in office communication practices that can improve the future of patient-rheumy office visit communication!

  • Episode 81: PART TWO The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Improving Office Visit Communication

    In this RheumyRounds episode, Tiffany Westrich-Robertson (axial spondyloarthritis) and Deb Constien (rheumatoid arthritis) are joined by rheumatologist Dr. Al Kim "Al" (also Tiffany's rheumy) to highlight the importance of communication, compassion and openness in bettering patient-doctor relationships. While Part One focused largely on the Good, in Part Two we get more into the Bad and the Ugly.



    They also invite YOU to share YOUR Good, Bad, and Ugly office visit stories so, together, a team of patients and rheumies can work together to create recommendations for best in office communication practices that can improve the future of patient-rheumy office visit communication!

Ready to tell your story?

Share your communication failure or success and, together, alongside rheumatologists, we can create guidance for best communication practices (for both patients and doctors) to improve patient-rheumatologist office visits in the future!

(Final resource will be a book - ebook and print copy!)

Submit Now!
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