10 July 2025
The recent Patient Voices in Rheumatology conference, hosted by BSR, offered healthcare professionals a fresh approach to clinical education by placing patient perspectives at the heart of learning.
This one-day conference was designed to support meaningful CPD by addressing often-overlooked areas of clinical practice - communication, shared decision-making, diversity, and co-production in research and service design.
Opening the event, former BSR Education Committee Chair Dr Spencer Ellis set the tone:
“We’re taking the voices and perspectives of our patients and making it a central tenet.”
Through real patient stories and expert-led sessions, attendees were encouraged to reflect critically on how patient experience informs outcomes, engagement, and trust. The day challenged delegates to move beyond standard models of care and consider how to integrate patient insights into service delivery in a practical, measurable way.
Key takeaways for the multidisciplinary team included:
- Strategies to improve communication and build more inclusive relationships
- A deeper understanding of how fatigue, misdiagnosis and identity impact patients across the lifespan
- Tools for embedding shared decision-making into routine care
- Approaches to involving patients in research, audit, and service improvement
“We don’t come to a doctor because something is vaguely wrong.” - Shaista Tayabali
“You can either make the condition your strength or weakness, and I make it my strength.” - Raj Gill
Patient narratives brought clarity to the gaps that still exist in clinical interactions and service models, and inspired attendees to consider how even small changes in language, access, or support could make a lasting impact.
For those committed to reflective practice and continual improvement, BSR offers the most relevant and forward-thinking education programme for the whole multidisciplinary team.