One of the most exhausting aspects of a new RA diagnosis is knowing where to find trustworthy information in the vast collection of available resources. This post is intended to give you a reliable list of credible resources to use along your personal RA journey.
Support Network Organizations
The Arthritis Foundation is a large support network that provides resources, research, and community support while actively pursuing a cure for rheumatoid arthritis.
2) Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network – Check out the Resources tab!!
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network is a collaboration of healthcare professionals and RA patients committed to offering to patients current, relevant information and resources. Their hope is to help RA patients live full, happy lives.
Be sure to check out the Resources tab on their site to connect with support groups, to find helpful RA management apps, and to learn how to receive financial assistance to pay for medications and other treatments.
Created by members of the RA community, Rheumatoid Patient Foundation’s unique goal is to solely provide support and benefit to RA patients. Their intention is to fairly represent members of the RA community and to advocate for their needs. This resource also aims to spread awareness for rheumatoid arthritis and its sufferers.
Government Organizations
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – a part of the National Institutes of Health – provides data-driven information about alternative and complementary treatments, including herbs and natural remedies. Relevant to RA patients, an entire section is dedicated to pain, natural, effective pain treatments, and relevant, up-to-date research news.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases – a part of the National Institutes of Health – is focused on research into causes, treatments, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases.
Maintained by the U.S. Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov provides patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and the general public with access to information about clinical trials for many diseases and conditions and their treatments, including rheumatoid arthritis. You can find clinical trials results, study sponsors, or even information about how to participate in a clinical research trial.
Professional Organizations
The American College of Rheumatology is a medical society committed to improving rheumatic disease patient care and advancing the specialized rheumatology field. It consists of physicians, scientists, and other health professionals providing rheumatological education, research, patient and physician advocacy, and clinical practice support; thus, the information they provide is factual and science based.
The Arthritis National Research Foundation provides funding to scientists at universities and research facilities across the United States. Their goal is to understand rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, their causes, ways to prevent these diseases, and new, effective treatments.
9) * Rheum for Me, sponsored by AbbVie
Despite being paid for by the pharmaceutical company AbbVie, Rheum for Me provides a wealth of factual, easy-to-understand information about rheumatoid arthritis, its symptoms, and its treatments. Additionally, this website offers resources, such as patient personal accounts and an online tool to locate a rheumatologist.
This is just a short list of the most credible, useful RA resources for which patients can arm themselves with a firm, fact-based foundation of knowledge. This knowledge foundation will allow patients to collaborate with their medical team as confident, informed advocates in the planning and execution of their treatment plans.
There are a lot of helpful resources, so be sure to bookmark this post for easy access in the future! Are there any resources that you would like to add to this list? If so, please let me know in the comments or join me in the discussion forum!
Wonderful resource. Great job!!!