BackgroundRemote care and telehealth have the potential to expand healthcare access, and the COVID-19 pandemic has called for alternative solutions to conventional face-to-face follow-up and monitoring. However, guidance is needed on the integration of telehealth into clinical care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD).ObjectiveTo develop EULAR points to consider (PtC) for the development, prioritisation and implementation of telehealth for people with RMD.MethodsA multidisciplinary EULAR task force (TF) of 30 members from 14 European countries was established, and the EULAR standardised operating procedures for development of PtC were followed. A systematic literature review was conducted to support the TF in formulating the PtC. The level of agreement among the TF was established by anonymous online voting.ResultsFour overarching principles and nine PtC were formulated. The use of telehealth should be tailored to patient’s needs and preferences. The healthcare team should have adequate equipment and training and have telecommunication skills. Telehealth can be used in screening for RMD as preassessment in the referral process, for disease monitoring and regulation of medication dosages and in some non-pharmacological interventions. People with RMD should be offered training in using telehealth, and barriers should be resolved whenever possible.The level of agreement to each statement ranged from 8.5 to 9.8/10.ConclusionThe PtC have identified areas where telehealth could improve quality of care and increase healthcare access. Knowing about drivers and barriers of telehealth is a prerequisite to successfully establish remote care approaches in rheumatologic clinical practice.

The participants had positive perceptions of the PRO-based telehealth followup and saw it as a flexible and resource-saving solution. They reported disadvantages related to missing face-to-face contact with health professionals. The 2 typologies, the keen and the reluctant patient, help us understand the patients' different needs, wishes, and abilities to take part in telehealth followup. Our findings reveal a need for more insight into how telehealth followup could be integrated in routine clinical practice, paying special attention to how reluctant patients may be supported.

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic disease affecting 1200 children in Denmark (1). Due to differences in the organization of the paediatric and adult setting, and a change in roles between the child and it's parents, the transition from the paediatric to the adult setting can be challenging for adolescents with JIA (2, 3). However, little is known about promotive factors for successful JIA transition since few studies have explored the patient perspective and perception in the field. Objectives To explore the transition from the paediatric to the adult setting from the perspective of adolescents with JIA, and to discover important factors in successful transition. Methods Data was conducted through qualitative interviews with three adolescents with JIA aged 19 – 23 years with a disease duration from 10 – 21 years. A semi structured interview guide was applied comprising the following terms: Overall experience of transition, preparation for the transition, cultural differences and the impression of and collaboration with doctors and nurses. The interviews were taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive content analysis. Results Seven main categories described experiences with transition: The first encounter with the adult ward, The experience of an inadequate preparation for the transition, Differences between the child and adult world, The impression of and collaboration with doctors and nurses, Needs and challenges related to development, Parent participation and The development of responsibility and independence. Conclusions Transition is challenging for adolescents due to an inadequate preparation and to cultural differences between the pediatric and adult setting. Data suggest that the gap can be minimized by a better preparation, including a gradual involvement of the adolescent in the process, planned start-up at the adult ward and appointment of contact persons. References Gigtforeningen. [online]. 2013 [Cited 2014 January 23]; Available from: Shaw KL, Southwood TR, McDonagh JE. User perspectives of transitional care for adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Rheumatology 2004 Jun;43(6):770-78. Östlie IL, Dale Ö, Möller A. From childhood to adult life with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): A pilot study. Disabil Rehabil 2007 Mar;29(6):445-52. Acknowledgements Thanks to the departmental management at the Department of Rheumatology AUH and Senior Reacher, Ph.D. Annette de Thurah for support and guidance. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1455

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate experiences and needs in the transition from child to adult care in an outpatient clinic from the perspective of adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and their parents focusing on which aspects in the transition could ease the process.DesignA qualitative design with an inductive approach.MethodsInductive content analysis was used to analyse individual interviews with three parents and three adolescents from a rheumatology clinic in Denmark.ResultsThree descriptive categories emerged: “Information during transition,” “Personalized care” and “A change of roles.” The comparative analysis of the categories revealed two explanatory themes: “To move from something known to something unknown” and “To develop and change.” We found that preparation for transition, information of organisational and procedural changes when entering adult care, continuity and relationships with health professionals characterised by trust as well as involvement of adolescents and parents will ease the process of transition.