Over the past few decades, there has been significant and impressive progress in the understanding and management of rheumatic diseases. One of the key reasons for succeeding in making this progress has been the increasingly stronger partnership between physicians and patients, setting a milestone in patient care. In this viewpoint, we discuss the recent evolution of the physician-patient relationship over time in Europe, reflecting on the 'journey' from behind the clinic walls through to clinical and research collaborations at national and international level and the birth of healthcare professional and 'rheumatic' patient organisations. The role of expert patients and patient advocates in clinical and scientific committees now represents a core part of the decision-making process. In more recent years and following the recognition that the young patients, physicians and academics have a voice and needs of their own, including the need to be educated and instructed, has encouraged the establishment of youth organisations, enabling change and innovation to take place at a uniquely different level.
Keywords: EULAR; healthcare professionals; patient advocacy; physician-patient communication; rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases; rheumatic patients.