How to Find a Psoriatic Arthritis Doctor That’s Right for You

As with any rheumatic condition, the earlier a patient with PsA gets an accurate diagnosis and begins treatment, the better. “Psoriatic arthritis can cause damage to joints through erosions of the bone. There are a number of other issues that can arise, such as an eye condition called uveitis, sausage-like swelling of the fingers or toes, and a lot of significant deformities that impair quality of life. These won’t happen in every case, but it’s important to treat early to try to prevent that in cases where it may happen,” says Jason Liebowitz, MD, a rheumatologist and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York.

If you have PsA, it’s important to find a doctor who can help you get the best treatment.

Start With a Psoriatic Arthritis Specialist

When deciding on a rheumatologist, you’ll want to find out who is in your health insurance network and is also taking new patients. Other factors to consider: Is the office reasonably convenient for you? Does the doctor offer telemedicine appointments?

Learn what you can about their experience and approach. Does the physician conduct clinical research? How aggressive or conservative are they in their treatment plans and does that match with your treatment goals?

What to Tell Your Doctor

Have a consultation with a potential rheumatologist before making a commitment. You want to be sure that the doctor is easy to communicate with and has a good bedside manner. Consider bringing a list of questions and notes to your appointment, including:

• Symptoms you’re currently experiencing
• Therapies you've tried in the past
• Therapies you’re using now
• Therapies you'd like to try
• How psoriatic arthritis is affecting your work and home life
• Areas in which you need help, such as exercise or diet
• Your goals for treatment

RELATED: 7 Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Questions to Ask Yourself After the Appointment

It’s worth reviewing your experience after an initial appointment or consultation. How comfortable did you feel with this doctor? Was there anything in particular that bothered you?

Did you feel listened to? Dr. Liebowitz says it’s important that doctors “express empathy and understanding by letting the patient know that they’re hearing them and not just dismissing their concerns.”

Do you understand what the doctor is recommending for your psoriatic arthritis, and do those recommendations seem reasonable to you?

How did you feel about the office staff? How welcoming or helpful were they?

And what are your next steps? You’ll need to determine whether you want to try a treatment plan recommended by this doctor and make a follow-up appointment — or look for a different doctor.

What if You’re Not Satisfied With Your Results?

If you’re not seeing results after a few months, Liebowitz notes that you and your doctor can take some further steps. “It is important for the rheumatologist to keep reevaluating the situation if it’s not going as planned,” he says. “Unfortunately, we’re still in the era of trial and error, where we don’t know which medicines will definitely help which patient. It’s usually not incompetence, but just the matter of finding the right medicine. And that may take a little bit of time and patience. You don’t necessarily need to find a new doctor, but you just need to be on the same page with where to go next.”

RELATED: How to Prepare for Your Next Rheumatology Appointment for PsA

Communication Is Key to Healthy Outcomes

It’s important for patients to share their concerns and for doctors to ask patients what they hope to get out of treatment for their disease. It’s also important for doctors to communicate whether those expectations are realistic and what can actually be achieved.

“Patients need to be their own advocates and be clear about what their goals are. Doctors and patients need to keep asking questions of each other. We are learning more every day, so it’s always good to reevaluate and see if there are other things to think about from a different perspective,” says Liebowitz.

Other Specialists You May Need

Along with a rheumatologist, you may need to consult with other specialists to address psoriatic arthritis symptoms and concerns.

Your healthcare team may include:

• A dermatologist to address skin and nail issues
• A dietitian to teach you about anti-inflammatory foods and weight management
• An occupational therapist to teach you hand stretches and exercises and ways to make daily activities easier
• A pharmacist to monitor your medications and answer any questions you may have
• A physical therapist to teach you joint exercises to help ease pain and stiffness

Your primary care physician will play a key role in managing your medical team and helping you stay well in the midst of treatment.