title: Disease-related everyday communication of persons with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases-Results of a participatory research project.
abstract: The aim of the present study is to describe and analyse significant factors of disease-related everyday communication of persons with RMDs in a nationwide project in Germany funded by the Deutsche Rheumaliga Bundesverband e.V. (German League against Rheumatism).
  
  
  
  In this participatory research project four persons with RMDs are involved. An online questionnaire addressing context, difficulties, and burden of disease-related everyday communication was answered by 1.015 persons with RMDs. Social and communication skills were recorded by questionnaires to capture social insecurity and patient communication competence.
  
  
  
  More than half of the participants reported difficulties in disease-related conversations across various situations. The majority of these persons suffer from this experience particularly in conversations at the work environment or with staff members of authorities. They feel unconfident especially in situations which require saying "no". Furthermore, compared to the general population persons with RMDs have more anxiety about contact with others.
  
  
  
  Strengthening the social skills of persons with RMDs in conversations related to everyday situations can promote a self-determined life and contribute to the maintenance of social participation.
  
  
  
  Based on the results, a communication skills training for persons with RMDs will be developed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. Electronic address: juliane.lamprecht@medizin.uni-halle.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lamprecht
authors.affiliation: Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thyrolf
authors.affiliation: Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattukat
authors.affiliation: Section of Health Care Research and Rehabilitation Research, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Schöpf
authors.affiliation: Section of Health Care Research and Rehabilitation Research, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlöffel
authors.affiliation: Section of Health Care Research and Rehabilitation Research, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farin
authors.affiliation: Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D058992:Social Participation
keywords: Communication skills; Communication training; Participatory research; Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases; Social participation