Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center

Your Medical Team for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Organizing Your Medical Team

To organize a medical team, start with your rheumatologist, who probably has a network of contacts with whom you can get in touch.

• Keep records. Don't assume all your team members are communicating or sharing copies of your chart. Recent changes to health care law make it your legal right to receive a copy of your medical record. Ask for it, and carry all records to appointments.
• Communicate. Make sure each team member knows about important changes, like recent surgeries, hospitalizations, or major changes in medications.
• Keep in touch. Maintain relationships with the members of your team, by keeping appointments and taking an interest in your care plan.
• Ask questions. People who take an interest in their care for rheumatoid arthritis stay involved and tend to do better.