Teaching doctors to talk better with lupus patients about medications

This study is testing whether training doctors to communicate better about lupus medications can help patients take them more consistently and improve health outcomes. Many lupus patients, especially Black patients, struggle with taking their medications regularly—not always because they don't want to, but sometimes because of concerns, beliefs, or trust issues with their care team. Researchers believe that better conversations between doctors and patients can build trust and help more people stay on their medications.

People with lupus need to take their medications regularly to prevent serious organ damage and stay healthy, but many patients don't take them as prescribed. Black patients with lupus face even bigger challenges with medication adherence, and doctors often don't have good training in how to talk with patients about these struggles. This study exists to teach doctors how to have these difficult conversations in a more understanding, collaborative way.