PhD defence by Charlotte Werdal Hansen

Partners to people with inflammatory arthritis

Assessment Committee:
Associate professor Karin Piil, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Professor Mette Juel Rothmann, University of Southern Denmark
Professor Maria Carmen Portillo, Univeristy of Southampton

Supervisors:
Clinical Professor Bente Appel Esbensen
Clinical Professor Julie Midtgaard
Postdoc Pernille Fevejle Cromhout, Professor Annette de Thurah,

Department:
Department of Clinical Medicine

Graduate Programme:
Public Health and Epidemiology

Place:
Building 7, Auditorium C, Valdemar Hansens Vej 6, 2600 Glostrup

Email address to gain access to the thesis: charlotte.werdal.hansen@regionh.dk 
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.

Short description of the thesis:
This PhD explores the overlooked role of partners in living with inflammatory arthritis and reveals how they shape and are shaped by the disease. Through four studies, it uncovers how partners provide vital emotional and practical support, influence patients’ ability to self-manage, and navigate profound changes in their own lives. Yet, their role remains largely unrecognized in clinical care. Highlighting both the potential and complexity of partner involvement, this research calls for a more relational, family-oriented approach in rheumatology, one that acknowledges that managing illness is not just individual, but shared.