Patient types and their characteristics along with the needed communication skills and corresponding statement on the Control Preferences Scale.
| Patient Type | Characteristics | Rheumatologist’s Needed Communication Skills | Control Preferences Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous | Stubborn and independent | The patient is the expert. Doctor has to adjust and can try to convince the patient regarding the doctor’s preferences. Patient does not tolerate authority. | I’ve made the decision on my own. |
| I’ve made the decision on my own, taking the opinion of the rheumatologist into account. | |||
| Active | Confident | Shared decision making. Doctor pairs up with the patient and shows his/her own opinion but takes the knowledge and experience of the patient into account. Patient will be able to make a decision shared with the doctor. | I’ve made the decision along with my rheumatologist. |
| Ambivalent | Skeptic | Doctor should ask about the expectations and fears regarding the treatment and should try to eliminate these fears. Try to persuade the patient in making a shared decision. Inform the patient about the longterm effects of the disease. | My doctor has made the decision, taking my opinion into account. |
| Emotional | Doctor should actively ask whether the patient fears certain aspects of treatment or disease and provide information regarding these aspects. Give a clear treatment plan and ease the patient. These patients need a paternalistic doctor who informs them and clarifies things. Decision is often made by the doctor with consent of patient. | My doctor has made the decision, taking my opinion into account. | |
| Passive | Indifferent; passively cooperative | Doctor is seen as the expert. You have to actively give patients the feeling to be in control. Help the patient to make a decision and explain the benefits and disadvantages of a certain decision. Explain your preference. Doctor will make the decision with consent of the patient. Explain the consequences of nonadherence to treatment. Doctor has to be paternalistic, but has to actively involve the patient. | My doctor has made the decision, taking my opinion into account. |
| Passively avoiding | Doctor is in charge. Patient has to be involved in treatment decisions. Give a clear explanation of the treatment options. Stimulate the patient to think along. | My doctor made the decision. | |
| Dependent | Doctor is in charge. Patient has to be involved in treatment decisions. Give a clear explanation of the treatment options. Stimulate the patient to think along and actively involve the patient. Doctor will make the decision, with consent of the patient. | My doctor made the decision. |