This study examines whether the health status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and their satisfaction with their treatment, were more strongly associated with patient-physician agreement about the importance of various aspects of the treatment program, or with the extent to which patients' concerns about their care were reduced during a clinic visit. Questionnaire responses from 82 rheumatologist-patient dyads showed that patients whose concerns were reduced tended to be satisfied with the visit, and to exhibit good overall health status and low levels of psychological distress. In contrast, patient-physician agreement was not associated with general or psychological health status, and was negatively associated with patient satisfaction. Although this cross-sectional analysis does not prove causality, the results are consistent with the premise that reducing the concerns of patients has a beneficial impact on clinical outcomes. Mere concordance between the patient and physician regarding the importance of various aspects of the treatment program, however, may not produce these beneficial effects.