Joint Action

Empowering patients to take control of their osteoarthritis with Dr Dawn Richards

Nov 28, 2021

48:04

Living with a musculoskeletal condition such as arthritis is not easy. The associated symptoms such as pain and stiffness make everyday activities that once seemed easy, challenging. It is important that those living with arthritis are educated and empowered to make decisions about the management about their condition and healthcare. However, this is not always the case with studies showing that only one-third of patients seeking care for their osteoarthritis are satisfied with their treatment. Health care providers and their patients need to ensure that management of the condition is collaborative and that patients have the appropriate tools and skills to successfully manage their condition.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dawn Richards to discuss how patients can be empowered to take control of their condition.

Dawn completed a PhD (Analytical Chemistry) from the University of Alberta and has worked in a variety of roles during the past 20 years, however her diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis almost 15 years ago instigated a journey to intertwine her passion for science with making the most of her diagnosis. Dawn was more recently diagnosed (a year ago) with knee OA. As a patient advocate and volunteer, Dawn is Vice President of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and a member of The BMJ’s Patient Panel. She served as an IMHA Research Ambassador from 2014 - 2019 and was the first Patient Advisor of the Canadian Medical Association’s Wait Time Alliance. Dawn advocates for arthritis awareness, access to treatment, the importance of research and the inclusion of patients both in decision-making and as research collaborators.

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