Potential Advantages of Interprofessional Care in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects over 1 million people in the United States. Although the emergence of new medications has substantially improved treatment options and outcomes for patients with RA, the disease is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In addition, significant barriers to adherence characterize RA medication management. A reasonable approach to improving RA patient outcomes entails interprofessional, multidisciplinary models of care. Working with rheumatology specialists, RA multidisciplinary care teams may comprise case managers, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, physiatrists, orthopedists, or other health professionals. Experience and evidence have supported the value of interprofessional, coordinated care models for patients with various chronic diseases. However, potential drawbacks include the costs associated with implementation of such approaches, the extra time required for their administration, and the lack of incentives for clinicians to adopt collaborative care approaches.

The underrated prevalence of depression in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis - evidence from a Nationwide survey in Japan

“…Furthermore, the results call for multidisciplinary treatment teams that do not only focus on the treatment of physical symptoms but also take into account a patient's psychological condition. This approach will bring together the skills and knowledge of all team members which may may comprise case managers, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, physiatrists, orthopedists, or other health professionals to assess and manage care for the individual patient's needs [22]. The key finding of this study is that a potential significant under-reporting of depression among Japanese people with RA might exist.…”

Incorporating the Treat-to-Target Concept in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…89 An interprofessional coordinated care model that is made up of the patient, pharmacist, and a case manager can aid with the difficulties in transition of care of patients and address some of the issues that patients may have with access to treatment. 93,94 More importantly, the improved communication between this team and the prescribing physician can help overcome many barriers to the implementation of the treat-to-target concept in RA practice. The main benefits of a collaborative approach are that it serves patients in transition who have complicated discharge needs, multiple providers, and several medications prescribed by various providers.…”

“…Also addressed by this model are the needs of patients experiencing gaps in care, elderly patients with several chronic conditions, frequent users of health care, and at-risk populations that include patients with special needs and disabilities. 93,94 Pharmacists play an integral role in managing patients' RA therapy regimen and should be incorporated into the case management of patients with RA since they can offer access to real-time pharmacy deployment data for the appropriate case management staff. 94 When potential medication therapy issues are raised by the case management staff, the pharmacist can report them to appropriate pharmacy staff and provide medication therapy management services.…”

“…93,94 Pharmacists play an integral role in managing patients' RA therapy regimen and should be incorporated into the case management of patients with RA since they can offer access to real-time pharmacy deployment data for the appropriate case management staff. 94 When potential medication therapy issues are raised by the case management staff, the pharmacist can report them to appropriate pharmacy staff and provide medication therapy management services. 95 Pharmacists are on the front line of dispensing and monitoring RA medications, offering patients much-needed information about drug adverse events and possible drug-drug interactions and adherence advice.…”

Rheumatoid arthritis in Latin America: challenges and solutions to improve its diagnosis and treatment training for medical professionals

“…We are seeing more and more convincing evidence of the success of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary management of RA patients [4–7]. This means that with every day that passes, it becomes even more important to strengthen knowledge of RA, both amongst the multidisciplinary working teams and in undergraduate and postgraduate professional medical training programs.…”