Using a consumer informed co-design process to support Rheumatologists to promote team-based care and utilisation of Allied Health practitioners, for symptom and chronic disease self-management for patients living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Melanie Carter1 1Metro North Hospital And Health Service, Qld Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic auto-immune disease that causes pain and joint inflammation, often progressing to erosion of joints and deformity. It is a systemic disease that can incorporate damage to soft tissues and organs including the heart, lungs, skin, eyes and blood vessels. Australia has the highest reported incidence of RA (Shapira et al, 2010) and wait times continue to grow, delaying access to diagnosis and treatment, causing poorer long-term outcomes and patient experiences (Smolen et al, 2023).
This problem is anticipated to worsen with anticipated Rheumatologist shortages (Jhaveri et al, 2021) and the chronic nature of this condition necessitating ongoing review appointments. Innovation to practice is needed to ensure specialist Rheumatologist appointments are available, delays to diagnosis are avoided, and a skilled Allied Health workforce fully utilised to support symptom management.
A consumer informed co-designed project was undertaken, with the Rheumatologist Committee in Brisbane North. The project included a comprehensive context assessment, implementation plan, and co-design workshop, underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Outcomes of the co-design project included the Rheumatologist committee, in partnership with consumers, selecting 3 evidence-based innovations to trial in local Rheumatology services. Implementation of the first innovation is complete and is due for evaluation August 2023. The innovation implemented in practice is a video ‘portal’ hosted in partnership with Arthritis Queensland, to support patients to understand the role of Allied Health practitioners in managing symptoms associated with RA, and support patients to feel more empowered to manage this chronic disease.
Biography
Melanie Carter is a Program Manager at the Metro North Health Excellence and Innovation unit, coming from a background working as an Occupational Therapist for 15 years in subacute and ambulatory rehabilitation settings.
Melanie has undertaken postgraduate study in Neurorehabilitation and Health Innovation, learning the value of hearing consumer story and experience to guide future service planning and innovation. Supporting team-based healthcare is a particular passion for Melanie, which she believes is not currently well realised in Rheumatology services across Queensland.