Arthritis Information: Patient Information Points
Patient Information Points
Many people with arthritis feel isolated and uninformed. Providing support and information empowers people with arthritis and to make decisions about their disease and their life.
Arthritis Ireland has produced a wide range of information leaflets for people with arthritis or those close to them seeking information. There is information covering the different kinds of arthritis, giving useful advice on coping with the disease and development on the current treatment of arthritis. Patients have found these have been very helpful with helping them to understand their disease and how to cope better.
Arthritis Ireland wanted to ensure patients can readily access our information and concluded that the most effective way to allow information to reach patients was in the 15 rheumatology clinics throughout Ireland. In consultation with the rheumatology clinics, Arthritis Ireland developed a user friendly and visible Arthritis Ireland patient information unit, which is positioned in an area within the Rheumatology clinic. At least one of these units are now in most clinics in Ireland, enabling patients to access educational and support material on arthritis and to learn more about their illness.
Arthritis Ireland was pleased to be awarded an unrestricted educational grant from Schering -Plough to undertake this project.
* The PARE Manifesto is a "call to action" on behalf of the more than 103 million Europeans affected by arthritis, which was developed by key arthritis groups who met in May 1999 to discuss how they could work collaboratively to address the quality of life to those with arthritis.