Spafopodden: What does remission mean?
In collaboration with GAfPA, we now have an English podcast episode about remission! What does remission mean? And how can you achieve disease control? Spafopodden talks to rheumatologist Gunnstein Bakland about this topic.
There is a need to invest more in the treatment of patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease. If more people achieve better disease control and remission, it will benefit patients, the healthcare system, and society.
Spafopodden now has two episodes about remission, one in English and one in Norwegian. Our guest is rheumatologist Gunnstein Bakland (University Hospital of North Norway). In the English episode, we have an intro by Neil Betteridge, the Senior Director of the Global Alliance for Patient Access (GAfPA). The Norwegian episode will be available soon.
Listen here:
Spafopodden is a (norwegian) podcast for people living with musculoskeletal diseases. Spafo Norway works to spread information about the different spondyloarthritis diagnoses: axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and juvenile spondyloarthritis. In the podcast, you will gain knowledge about these diagnoses, exercise, comorbidities, pregnancy, and you will meet people living with these diseases. You can find Spafopodden in all apps where you listen to podcasts!
Contributors in this episode:
Gunnstein Bakland
Gunnstein Bakland is a rheumatologist who works at Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital North Norway and Institute of Clinical Medicine/, University of Tromsø, Norway and has a PhD in Axial spondyloarthritis. Has previously worked as Head of Dept. of Rheumatology and is currently Head of research. Dr. Bakland also has a position as Associate Professor, Institute of Clinical Medicine/Department of Rheumatology, UiT- The Arctic University of Norway. He is a member of the Advisory Board for LIS-BIO, Public Tender for acquisition of Biologic Drugs and is a member of Scientific Advisory Board of The National Arthritis Registry and The Norwegian Society of Rheumatology.
Neil Betteridge
Neil developed juvenile arthritis at the age of three which had a serious impact on his childhood. He has since dedicated his career to representing the interests of chronic disease patients in the UK and internationally.
A specialist in public affairs, policy and patient advocacy, after a substantial spell as CEO at the UK patient organisation Arthritis Care, he became the Senior Director of GAfPA, the Global Alliance for Patient Access in 2013 (ongoing). GAfPA provides the secretariat to the Global Remission Coalition, which Neil chairs, supporting its more than 70 member organizations to address unmet neds in a range of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Previously Neil’s domestic responsibilities saw him work as Patient Engagement lead at the Royal College of Physicians; act for 5 years as a Patient Adviser on policy to the Health Minister in England; and serve as a trustee at the Long Term Conditions Alliance.
Internationally he is an Executive Committee member at the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, having previously served as Vice President of EULAR, the European rheumatology society, leading its network of patient organizations for 12 years.
@Neil_Betteridge
Lillann Wermskog
Leader of The Spondyloarthritis Association Norway (Spafo Norge).
Vice Chair of ASIF Axial Spondyarthritis International Federation (ASIF).
She has worked with patient organizations since 2015, both in Norway and internationally since 2020. Within political advocacy and patient information.
Lillann has a special focus on reaching patients with good and safe knowledge, through articles, webinars, and podcasts. Being present at rheumatology congresses to gain access to information about these diseases and at the same time helping to build good alliances with both patient organizations and professional environments.
She lives with axial spondyloarthritis and developed the disease at the age of 11.
She is educated in art history, cultural history and history of ideas from the University of Oslo. And research in political science, society and architecture.
Do you want to know more?
Global Alliance for Patient Access (GAfPA)
Here you will find GAfPA resources that educate and empower healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates: video center, papers, and graphics
Global Remission Coalition website
The path to optimal care is full of challenges.
Gaps in education and awareness feed growing health disparities. Patients find themselves adrift in a disease-centered health care system that targets individual symptoms rather than treating the whole patient. And institutions that determine the value of medications too often marginalize those most affected – patients and health care providers.
That’s why the Global Alliance for Patient Access works internationally to educate, empower and mobilize physicians and patient advocates. Together, their voices can inform policy that shapes a more equitable, accessible and patient-centered health care system.
Download graphics:
ARTICLES
The Pursuit of Remission and Improved Quality of Life in axSpA
Here you can watch the Global Alliance for Patient Access (GAfPA) and ASIF’s webinar on remission and improved quality of life in rheumatologists. Spafo Norway’s manager Lillann Wermskog is one of those who talks to GafPA’s Neil Betteridge about spondyloarthritis and the benefits of achieving remission or low disease activity:
Støtt vårt viktige arbeid ved å bli medlem av Spafo Norge. Vi jobber mot diskriminering og for likestilling, og driver med informasjons- opplysnings- og påvirkningsarbeid for mennesker med spondyloartritt.
Husk at vi også kan tilby mange gode medlemsfordeler!
