RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - EFFICACY OF TREATM ENT AND SOME ASPECTS OF THEDIAD PHYSICIAN-PATIENT

The contribution of conventional therapeutic factors and such factors as psychotherapy, psychotropic drugs, psychological characteristics of the diad ''physician-patient'' to overall treatment efficacy was meas ured in 111 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Among non-traditional factors psychocorrection proved most effective. The skill of the physi cian to communicate with the patient, to inform him or her about the d isease was found unsatisfactory. Special training in medical education to communicate with tile patient is needed.