Dr. Jonas addresses key methods for dealing with the uniquely challenging nature of diagnosing and treating rheumatologic diseases.
“As many rheumatologists know from clinical experience, the puzzle does not always come together perfectly,” says Jonas. “Because the practice of rheumatology is rarely straight forward, the master clinician must be thoughtful and creative when approaching a diagnostic quandry. There must also be a dedication to caring for each patient as a person, in a holistic fashion.”
She adds that listening to patients carefully and with an open mind is essential in order to locate critical clues. “I try to enter each visit with an open mind and draw my own conclusions based on what they tell me,” says Jonas. “I attempt to not ignore parts of the story that don’t fit my preconceived notions; doing so may lead us down the wrong path or prevent a breakthrough in thinking about the patient’s story.”
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