Lupus Patient Support Programs

Hospital for Special Surgery offers more lupus support and education programs than any other hospital in the United States. The department of Social Work Programs, in collaboration with the Lupus and APS Center of Excellence, brings together patients with lupus to help them and their loved ones cope with a new diagnosis, clarify treatment options, locate community resources, and provide ongoing support. Our programs are evidenced-based and we conduct frequent needs assessments based on patients’ input in order to determine our programs' impact, satisfaction and reach. Our programs are culturally tailored, offered in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and are developmentally specific. We use a peer based and interdisciplinary team model to enhance self-efficacy in managing lupus. Many of our programs include lectures by rheumatology experts and offer opportunities for group discussion.

HSS offers free programs that reflect our comprehensive approach to care for people with systemic lupus erythematosus. Through these programs, you can learn about your illness and learn to live more fully - both from health care professionals and from others who have the same illness.

• LANtern® (Lupus Asian Network) is a free national support and education program for Asian-Americans with lupus and their families.
• SLE Workshop is a monthly education and support group for people with lupus, along with their family and friends.
• LupusLine® is a free national telephone peer counseling service focusing on one-to-one support for people with lupus and their families
• Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)® is a free national peer health education and support program for Spanish-speaking communities with lupus.
• Teen and Parent Lupus Chat Groups are monthly in-person chat groups for teens with lupus and their parents.