How Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Make Decisions Regarding Hand Reconstruction: A Qualitative Study from the Silicone Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthritis Project

摘要

Background: Previous studies have determined specific factors influencing patients with rheumatoid arthritis to choose to undergo reconstructive hand surgery. However, little is known about how rheumatoid arthritis patients are counseled by physicians regarding surgical options and the concerns that cause patients to decide not to undergo hand surgery reconstruction. The authors conducted a qualitative study to investigate the decision-making process rheumatoid arthritis patients undergo when deciding about surgical treatment, including the specific involvement from their physicians in the decision.