MyRA website – a ground-breaking Rheumatoid Arthritis patient-support website.
Arthritis Australia, in partnership with the Australian Rheumatology Association, has launched a new online rheumatoid arthritis patient-support website. The free MyRA website provides individually tailored information designed to help people seize control and become active participants in their journey with the disease.
AONT worked collaboratively with Arthritis Australia to help design and test the MyRA patient-support website, which involved valuable input from across the sector – including an AONT member.
Prior to this program, it was found that many people were either using ‘doctor google’ to make important
decisions based on incorrect, irrelevant or alarming information, joining online forums without independent and trusted moderation, or joining programs that may only be suitable at a particular point in time due to the medication they are using.
A n important feature is the way the online patient-support website then links people with arthritis organisations nationwide and relevant local information, educational events, fitness activities, webinars and other support services, including trained health educators.
The MyRA website was developed in collaboration with state and territory-based arthritis organisations, informed also by respected international arthritis peers. The end result is a digital platform that provides a holistic patient-support system. It covers topics such as symptoms, risks, treatment options, diet, exercise, day to day tips, support services and how to manage pain, mental health and fatigue. It looks at how to build good relationships with healthcare teams and provides updates about COVID-19. The website also links through to the National Arthritis Infoline.
Rheumatologist, Prof. Susanna Proudman said that the holistic approach is a game-changer for people with rheumatoid arthritis: “Patients may only have face to face time with their rheumatologist for a few hours each year and GPs can’t be expected to cover everything outside of that. The MyRA website provides a holistic resource, trusted support and will save people a lot of time going down rabbit holes that they don’t need to that may offer unproven or even unsafe advice. People with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from the wisdom of others who have already been down the same path.” said Proudman.
For more information go to the website at: https://myra.org.au