Dr. Christie Bartels
is conducting a year-long study on how to help patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis quit smoking. She is using a novel approach of not only asking health care providers for their thoughts, but also seeking patient input through focus groups on the best way to reach patients who smoke to help them quit. “The goal of the study is really to invite people to better health and not necessarily to shame people for smoking behavior, which I think has been the perception for years,” Bartels said.
