Ndosi, Mwidimi, Ferguson, Rachel, Backhouse, Michael R., Bearne, Lindsay, Ainsworth, Phillip, Roach, Alan, Dennison, Elaine and Cherry, Lindsey (2017) National variation in the composition of rheumatology multidisciplinary teams : a cross-sectional study. Rheumatology International, 37(9), pp. 1453-1459. ISSN (print) 0172-8172
Abstract
ObjectiveTo describe the composition of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) working within rheumatology departments across the UK.MethodsAll rheumatology departments in the United Kingdom (UK) were invited to participate in a national electronic survey between February 2014 and April 2015 as a part of a national audit for the management of rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis commissioned by Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership. Rheumatology departments were asked to report their MDT composition; defined as a rheumatologist (consultant or specialisttrainee), specialist nurse, occupational therapist physiotherapist, and podiatrist. The data were collected as Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) of each professional group at each department adjusted to 100,000 population. The data was grouped according to British Society for Rheumatology regions in order to study regional variations.ResultsThe survey was completed by 164/167 departments (98 response rate). All departmentsreported an MDT comprising a rheumatologist (consultant or specialist trainee) and almostall included a specialist nurse but only 28 (17) of the departments had MDTs comprising allthe professional groups. There was a high degree of regional variation in the provision of Allied Health Professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists) in the UK.ConclusionMDT care is recommended for the management of inflammatory arthritis but few UK rheumatology departments have a full complement of healthcare professionals within their MDT. There is a high degree of regional variation in the composition and staffing levels of the rheumatology MDT across the UK, the impact of which warrants further investigation.
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