Medical Management
A treatment program involving the interdisciplinary team, including
the patient, is the basis for managing the rheumatic diseases.
The chronic nature of most of these diseases mandates that
the patient understand the disease, have the information necessary
to make good self-management decisions, and be presented with
a therapeutic program that is compatible with his or her lifestyle.
Table 54-2 outlines the goals and strategies of basic rheumatic
disease management.