Building on the momentum of its launch, initial results from the Sam (Steroids and Me) platform were excitedly presented in a poster session during the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting 2024. The poster, A Patient-Focused Program for Using Steroids Wisely,[1] received overwhelming interest and attention.
Sam is a first-in-class digital companion designed to support patients on their steroid journeys. Its core mission is clear: to provide a single, trusted platform where patients can learn about steroid-toxicity and actively participate in shared decision-making with their healthcare providers.
The poster highlighted key findings from Sam’s initial pilot period following a single invitation to Vasculitis Foundation members. The initial email resulted in:
- Heavy engagement in learning about steroid-toxicity, with an average session time of 5 minutes and a maximum of 100 minutes
- High conversion rate: 18% of all visitors became registered users
- Focused interest in educational content, particularly on tapering steroids and improving doctor-patient communication, with readers accessing an average of 5 articles each
- Significant side effect tracking, with registered users recording an average of four side effects each
These metrics underscore the urgent demand for curated, patient-focused resources in managing steroid therapies.
Sam serves as a model for patient-centric healthcare innovation. Developed through a partnership among academia, industry leaders, and patient advocacy groups, it reflects the power of collaboration in addressing unmet needs.
The program’s side effect tracking and educational content are not only tools for patient empowerment but also valuable data sources for researchers and clinicians.
The ACR 2024 presentation marks a milestone in Sam’s journey, bringing early learnings and successes to a broader audience of rheumatology professionals.
Sam’s message is clear: when patients are equipped with the right tools and knowledge, they become true partners in their care - an outcome that benefits everyone involved in the treatment process.
You can request access to a high-resolution copy of the poster by clicking the button below.
References
- Stone J, Petri M, Gelfand J, Kotton C, McDowell J, Papaliodis G, Marinaro M, Wilkinson M, Lentfert W, Stone M. A Patient-Focused Program for Using Steroids Wisely [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2024; 76 (suppl 9). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/a-patient-focused-program-for-using-steroids-wisely/