Allied Health in Rheumatology Triage Project
- Conditions
- Inflammatory Arthritis
- Registration Number
- NCT02465879
- Lead Sponsor
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Brief Summary
There is accumulating evidence that early treatment leads to better outcomes for patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA). Triage, which is the process of identifying the urgency of a patient's disease state efficiently and correctly, may facilitate early referral to a rheumatologist. Several studies have suggested that placing allied health professionals (occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, etc.) in a triage roll may reduce wait time for patients with suspected IA. The goal of this investigation will be to demonstrate the system-level impact of an Arthritis Society extended role occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) working in a triage role in improving access to rheumatologists for people with IA. In this study two groups will be observed: intervention and "usual care" as determined by historical chart review. Wait times will be compared between both groups.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 295
- New referrals from a GP
- Adults with possible IA (determined by rheumatologist through paper triage)
- Currently on a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)
- Previously seen by a rheumatologist.
- FM, non-IA OA; soft tissue rheumatism; mechanical LBP
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Time to first visit with the rheumatologist (wait time) 3 months
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Time to treatment (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) 3 months Time to diagnosis 3 months