Market research showed the biggest impact of RA for patients is the ability to carry on with their day-to-day life. Many RA sufferers are young woman who want to live a normal life. They feel that their doctor “just does not get it” when he tells them they are doing well based on their lab results. We wanted doctors to reconsider their patients’ experience and change the way they communicate.

We designed a unique program that took a “back to basics” approach by examining the fundamentals of language and communication to optimize the engagement between rheumatologists and patients and help them effectively uncover their patients’ concerns and goals. We teamed up rheumatologists from 16 countries with experts in linguistics and communications to apply validated, behavioral science theories to the patient-doctor dialogue about RA. They developed techniques that are proven to save doctors time, improve patient adherence, and increase patient satisfaction.

Conversations in Motion was developed over 9-12 months. It involved global steering committee meetings across the world to develop and finalize the curriculum. We teamed up clinical rheumatologists from 16 countries across 5 continents (North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia) with linguistics and communications experts. They helped us apply behavioral science theories to the patient-doctor dialogue in RA. This is the first example we know of global collaboration between linguists and key opinion leaders.

It’s a multi-faceted program that includes everything a doctor would need to teach or learn the program. The materials include 4 modules, each reviewing 3-4 communications techniques. We applied adult learning principles to the design, ensuring that the content is simple, visual, and easy to understand. Each module includes engaging videos and role-playing scenarios that demonstrate correct and incorrect ways to utilize the techniques. For live meetings, we provided a moderator’s guide and participant handouts.

Since launch, the program has reached doctors in two dozen countries across 6 continents. Since then, hospital faculties from multiple countries have even integrated the content into their medical school residency programs. After using the modules, physicians were extremely enthusiastic:

“This educational initiative has been truly outstanding, it’s something different, something that has not been done by other companies.”

-Rheumatologist, Australia

“Many times the patient brings a problem but the physicians is only concerned about things that are not necessarily priorities for the patient… I am very excited.”

-Rheumatologist, Brazil

“The way we have structured this program will give an incredible new experience to rheumatologists”

-Rheumatologist, USA

“My greatest interest is the patient-physician relationship, and how to develop a good relationship, how to get patients confidence. It’s really nice”

-Rheumatologist, Japan

“It’s not drug-based, its not even disease-based necessarily, it’s improving how we practice”

-Rheumatologist, Canada