New Resources Introduced to Address Arthritis Care Deficit
Arthritis Australia tackles the urgent need for improved arthritis care by launching innovative resources designed to empower patients and address shortfalls in clinical care. These resources aim to provide best practice benchmarks that enable individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to advocate for better disease management.
A key challenge faced by the arthritis community is the shortage of healthcare professionals specializing in rheumatology. Currently, there is a deficit of 302 adult rheumatologists and 41 pediatric rheumatologists in Australia, resulting in patients being left in waiting rooms, struggling to access timely care.
The new resources, developed in collaboration with The Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) and funded by the Federal Government, have been designed through a comprehensive codesign process involving individuals living with RA and JIA. This ensures that the resources align with their lived experiences and address critical unmet needs.
Almost half a million Australian adults are living with RA, our most common form of inflammatory arthritis. In addition, 30,000 children and young people are estimated to be impacted by JIA. These conditions have a significant impact on individuals, and it is crucial that we equip these communities to advocate for their care, especially given the current shortages in the rheumatology workforce and various other barriers they face, explains Jonathan Smithers, Chief Executive Officer of Arthritis Australia.
The consequences of inadequate care can be severe, particularly in the case of JIA, which can lead to joint deformities and vision loss if not diagnosed early and effectively treated. Adults living with RA often experience limitations in their ability to work and fulfill their caregiving responsibilities. They also face comorbidities such as back problems and mental health conditions at higher rates compared to those without RA.
According to recent data, there are only 380 adult and 20 pediatric rheumatologists working in Australia. However, demand calls for 682 adult rheumatologists and 61 pediatric rheumatologists. Additionally, 38% of surveyed rheumatologists plan to reduce their working hours within the next year, as reported in the recent ARA workforce study.
The shortage of pediatric rheumatologists leads to many children being treated by adult specialists, who may not have the expertise to address the unique challenges and symptoms faced by young patients. This situation not only results in parents waiting in adult clinics but also leads to significant delays in vital early care.
Dr. Claire Barrett, President of the Australian Rheumatology Association, emphasizes the importance of gap-filling measures, stating, We felt it was absolutely critical to step in now and give families battling juvenile arthritis and adults managing RA the best possible roadmaps showing the standard of care they need to keep their diseases well managed – and have better health outcomes ahead of them.
To complement the resources, the ARA has developed and published the first-ever Australian Clinical Care Standards for RA in adults. Prior to this, rheumatologists had no established clinical standards to guide their practice, leaving both healthcare professionals and patients without clear parameters and benchmarks.
The Care Guides empower patients with the knowledge to actively manage and advocate for their care, including accessing team-based care from healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, general practitioners, and psychologists.
The JIA Care Guide offers parents a comprehensive resource to navigate the management of their child’s JIA. It covers crucial topics such as symptom management, advocacy, school support, and financial assistance, providing a step-by-step approach to support parents throughout their journey.
Similarly, the RA Care Guide provides individuals living with RA a wealth of information to advocate for their care. It encompasses the treatment journey, pain management strategies, exercise, diet, co-occurring conditions, emotional well-being, as well as guidance on utilizing all available resources.
Arthritis Australia CEO Jonathan Smithers stresses the need for timely access to specialists, stating, The current shortfall of specialists means many people struggle to get to a rheumatologist once diagnosed. The standard wait time should be just four weeks, but in reality, adults with RA often wait three to six months to see a specialist. The delay in care for children to see pediatric rheumatologists is also a significant concern.
Arthritis Australia’s innovative resources aim to bridge the gap in arthritis care by empowering patients and providing them with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of their conditions effectively. By setting best practice standards and benchmarks, these resources offer hope for better health outcomes for individuals living with RA and JIA.
Reference:
[1] Arthritis Australia – https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/our-work/knowledge/what-is-arthritis/ra/
[2] Arthritis Australia – https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/our-work/knowledge/what-is-arthritis/jia/
[3] Arthritis Australia – https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/programs/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis-jia/
[4] Arthritis Australia – https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/programs/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis-jia/
[5] Arthritis Australia – https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Information-paper-workforce-submissions-outcomes.pdf
