• Psychological
  
• Physical
• Social
• Economic
• Environmental
• Spiritual
  

Fear is the key feature in those with arthritis: fear of the future and what is going to happen; fear associated with treatment and what the side effects mean; fear of losing control over their lives.

Physical concerns are pain, stiffness, lack of energy and mobility, loss of function and medication side effects.

Social issues include the impact on relationships with friends, family and work. Patients are also concerned about having their needs heard by the health professional. As well, culture plays an important role.

Economic issues such as job loss, cost of medications and equipment often impede a patient's ability to follow through on some of the issues that need to be dealt with in managing their arthritis.

Environmental components include whether or not patients can deal with their illness in their own home and community and whether they can access programs. A lack of transportation will prevent patients from receiving the necessary care.

The spiritual component entails trying to understand what the illness means to the patient and how the patient's perceptions may affect compliance with a prescribed treatment.

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