Minority Nurse Magazine—July 16, 2009
“Because there is no cure for lupus, patients must maintain visits with their physician, even if the disease is in remission,” says Greene. Many lupus patients may not want to come back for follow-up care because they have a sense of dread after they’re diagnosed: “It’s understandable that patients have fear about the disease. They may fear loss of friends, social life or even [loss of] employment.”
In these instances, it’s important for nurses to assist patients in finding support systems to help them cope. “Patients can find help through support groups in their community and through church organizations. Most of all, they should be counseled to reach out to their family or significant other,” Greene says.
Hospital for Special Surgery offers several options for support and counseling programs, including several that are targeted specifically towards minority and multicultural outreach:
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