Empathic communication, active listening and the ability to provide clear and reassuring information are essential skills to build a relationship of trust between doctor and patient and optimize therapeutic results. From this assumption was born Reumacare, the continuing medical education course aimed at rheumatologists that aims to enhance the skills of specialists in the area of emotional intelligence, effective communication and counseling, in order to offer comprehensive and patient-centered care for women with rheumatological diseases.
“Emotional intelligence is the ability to integrate thoughts and emotions to reach optimal decisions that benefit both ourselves and our interlocutor” explains Marcella Offeddu, Business Psychologist, Senior Coach and Strategic Consultant of Gap management, Iamwave and Bevolver involved as a speaker of the ECM course. “Being aware of the emotions we feel and knowing how to manage them consciously helps to develop better interpersonal relationships that facilitate mutual listening and trust in the other”.
The aim of the ECM course “Reumacare”, which obtained the unconditional contribution of UCB Pharma, is to improve the quality of life of patients with rheumatological diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, by strengthening the doctor's ability to understand the patient's emotions, manage their own emotional reactions and establish an empathic connection. The training course, divided into two stages, one in Rome and the second in Milan, was supported by the scientific responsibility of Prof. Roberto Caporali, Full Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Milan and Director of the Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences of the ASST Pini-CTO, of Prof. Angela Tincani, Senior Consultant Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, ASST-Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, and of Prof. Fabrizio Conti, Full Professor of Rheumatology of the Department of Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Clinical Sciences of the Sapienza University of Rome.
“The effective management of rheumatic diseases requires a holistic perspective that takes into account all aspects related to the disease and the patient. The predominant symptom is in most cases chronic pain, which can become debilitating especially when the diagnosis is late and there is no adherence to therapy. The rheumatologist's task is not limited to identifying the most suitable therapeutic path, but also to verify that the therapy is tolerated and respected. Listening to the patient and empathy are crucial to understanding and helping people affected by rheumatic diseases” says Prof. Roberto Caporali.
These aspects become more relevant when the patients are women of childbearing age with chronic inflammatory diseases, for whom exposure to drug treatment may entail some risks during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
“Most rheumatological diseases affect women mainly, due to a hormonal and genetic setting that favors the immune response,” explains Professor Angela Tincani. “Professionals must therefore deal with the needs of women, respecting any desire for motherhood and informing them if it is necessary to postpone the pregnancy due to the ongoing therapy or the disease in its active phase that could interfere with a favorable outcome for the mother and the child. This is a very delicate period in a woman's life that deserves availability, attention and sensitivity on the part of the doctor. Open and conscious counseling that takes into account the emotional aspect can be crucial to accompany patients on this journey.”
The value of emotional intelligence in the treatment of women of childbearing age has not escaped UCB Pharma, which explains the reasons that led it to give its non-conditional contribution to “Reumacare”: “There can be no completely effective treatment without listening and empathy. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people whose daily lives have been disrupted by the disease. We are committed to pursuing this goal through continuous research into new therapeutic solutions and by supporting initiatives that take into account the emotional impact of the disease. In fact, we want to respond to the real needs of patients living with rheumatic diseases, offering support that goes beyond medical care alone,” explained Federico Chinni, CEO of UCB Pharma.
Article published on 3 July 2024 - 16:19
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