While knowledge is integral to self‐management for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and for effective shared decision‐making between patients and clinicians, mismatches in attitudes may lead to suboptimal communication, according to a recent study. 7 focus groups and 1 semi‐structured interview were conducted with RA patients and clinicians who were recruited from 4 rheumatology clinics. An interview guide was developed to explore goal concordance related to RA treatment. Researchers found:

• 19 patients (mean age 55 years, 74% female, 32% non‐white, and 26% Spanish‐speaking) and 18 clinicians (44% trainees, 44% female, 28% non‐white) participated.
• Across clinician and patient focus groups, the 2 identified domains were patient knowledge of RA and psychosocial dynamics (stress) in RA treatment.
• Within the knowledge domain, 3 themes emerged: RA knowledge for informed choice, RA knowledge to ensure adherence and medication safety, and clinician assumption of patient inability to interpret information.
• Within the second domain of RA and stress, 2 themes emerged: patient illness experience informs treatment context in ways that are not shared by clinicians, and the impact of patient‐clinician communication and decision‐making on goal concordance.