Table 3 Stages of the process of deciding on treatment, as perceived by patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Participant	Stage 1 Recommendation of treatment	Stage 2 Response	Stage 3 Testing of medication	Stage 4 Evaluation of treatment decision
Patient	Description of signs and symptoms	(a) Consent(b) Discussion(c) Veto	Gathering of experience with medication	Evaluation of treatment based on subjective perceptions
Patient	Description of signs and symptoms		Decision about medication (eg, to stop treatment or to modify dosage)	Giving feedback to physician
Physician	Recommendation of treatment	(a) Prescription(b) Explanation(c) Recommendation of an alternative		Evaluation of treatment based on objective and subjective parameters