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Andy Thompson, BSc, MD, FRCPC, MHPE

Andy Thompson, MD is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Western University and the director of rheumatology at the arva clinic. Andy obtained his medical degree and post-graduate training in internal medicine at the University of Western Ontario and completed a fellowship in rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.  He completed a Masters of Health Professions Education (MHPE) degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Andy spent 12 years with the Division of Rheumatology at Western working with the rheumatology group at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. In 2016, Andy built a state of the art theumatology clinic named the arva clinic (arvaclinic.com). Andy's clinical practice focuses on the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Andy has published on several topics in rheumatic diseases and has presented at both national and international meetings. He also works to support the rheumatology community by maintaining a number of websites including www.RheumInfo.com, www.RheumReports.com, www.Rheumchoice.com, and www.RheumTalks.com for health care professionals and patients.  He is the author of Tarascon Pocket Rheumatologica, a pocket reference of rheumatology that is widely used throughout North America. Despite all of this, Andy is most proud of his family. He is married to Marlene who is an advanced practice physiotherapist (ACPAC) specializing in arthritis. They have two sons Callum (age 12) and Duncan (age 10) who both play hockey for the London Junior Knights. When Andy is not in clinic he is usually in an arena.

Articles By Andy Thompson, BSc, MD, FRCPC, MHPE

The Paradox and Value of Choice

By Andy Thompson, BSc, MD, FRCPC, MHPE

I’m sitting with a patient discussing moving to an advanced therapeutic (i.e., medication that costs a lot of money). I started thinking about what I would choose and given my busy lifestyle a quick injection or tablet would seem preferable to an intravenous infusion. I assume that my patients are probably like me and would make similar choices. I am a little taken aback when this patient chooses an IV medication. She tells me her rationale in terms of her feelings, ideas, fears, and expectations and it makes complete sense. I may have misjudged her and without asking may have suggested a treatment that would not have been the best for her in terms of her lifestyle or beliefs.

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