Talking Rheumatology Spotlight

How can we ensure that our clinic letters communicate clearly and effectively with patients? What impact does a patient's health literacy have on the language we use and the information we include?
In this episode of Patient Voices, Digital Learning Editor Dr Roz Benson is joined by patient partner Karen Staniland, academic trainee Dr Mrinalini Dey & consultant rheumatologists Dr Ceril Rhys-Dillon and Dr Charlotte Sharp.
Together, they explore the evolving role of the clinic letter and the growing evidence supporting the practice of writing directly to patients. Drawing on their professional and personal experiences, the guests share practical tips for making clinic correspondence more accessible, meaningful and patient-centred.
The discussion also examines ways to assess health literacy in routine clinical practice and considers how digital technology can support clearer communication and improve patient understanding.
Useful resources:
BSR resources for writing to patients - https://www.rheumatology.org.uk/improving-care/registers/service-guidance/best-practice/writing-to-patients 

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

How do we talk about risk in a way that is honest, balanced and easy to understand? And what happens when the third person in the consultation room is Dr AI?

In this latest episode of Patient Voices, host Dr Yik Man is joined by Dalila Tremarias, patient partner and advocate, and Dr Katie Bechman, Consultant Rheumatologist and Epidemiologist, for a thought-provoking discussion on communication, trust and decision-making in modern healthcare.
Together, they explore the central role of the patient-clinician relationship, how we discuss treatment risks and benefits, and the challenges of navigating health information in an era shaped by social media, misinformation and rapidly evolving technology. 
The conversation also considers the opportunities and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and how we can harness its potential to support, rather than replace, meaningful human connections in clinical care.  A fascinating episode for clinicians, patients and anyone interested in the future of healthcare communication.

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

Dr Lilase Hakoun, paediatric rheumatology trainee, talks with Dr Charalampia Papadopoulou about JDM. They explore together a rare but important condition. Approaches to diagnosis and evidence based  management are discussed including the hot topics of research in the field.  Not just for the paediatric audience, a great listen for all those working with adults too!
Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

Have you ever thought about what meaningful patient engagement in a project looks like? Are you keen to work with patients in QI projects and research but don't know where to start? 
In this next episode of the patient voices series Lynn Laidlaw, experienced public partner and peer researcher, and Dr Charlotte Sharp, an academic Rheumatologist, talk to Dr Roz Benson about co-production and patient and public involvement in rheumatology. They discuss examples from grass roots projects to large scale national initiatives and their experiences along the way. 
After listening you'll fing yourself challenged to find a reason why you shouldn't be working to involve patients in your projects from the beginning!
Resources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10036989/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBSJKMYNOaw
https://www.bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j3453
Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

In this conversation Dr Ashley Elliot talks with Dr Mark McClure, Consultant Nephrologist, based in Belfast. This wide ranging evidenced based conversation spans a comprehensive update in approach to treatment of renal vasculitis to some of the current controversies around avacopan and plasma exchange. A timely discussion! 
Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.