Things left unsaid: important topics that are not discussed between patients with systemic sclerosis, their carers and their healthcare professionals —a discourse analysis

ConclusionKey topics, including mortality and prognosis, are rarely openly discussed, leaving patients uncertain and anxious about the future. By communicating about difficult but important topics, physicians and nurses could help patients and carers manage and plan their lives. This study shows that a multi-professional team-based communication approach is likely to better address patient needs and priorities.Key Points•Key topics in SSc or SSc-ILD, such as mortality and prognosis, are rarely openly discussed in clinical consultations.•By communicating difficult but important topics, physicians and nurses could help patients manage their disease and plan their lives.•A multi-professional team-based communication approach is likely to better address patient needs and priorities and could be easily implemented without the need for significant additional resources.
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research