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Vandana Ahluwalia,1 Taucha Inrig,2 Tiffany Larsen,3 Rachel Shupak,4 Tripti Papneja,1 Arthur Karasik,5 Carol Kennedy,2 Katie Lundon6 1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, William Osler Health System, Brampton, ON, Canada; 2Musculoskeletal Health and Outcomes Research, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; 3Department of Physiotherapy, Headwaters Healthcare Centre, Orangeville, ON, Canada; 4Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; 5Independent Rheumatology Practice, Etobicoke, ON, Canada; 6Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaCorrespondence: Vandana AhluwaliaIndependent Community Rheumatology Practice, 314-40 Finchgate Boulevard, Brampton, ON, Canada, L6T 3J1 Tel +1 905-799-1850 Ext 221Fax +1 905-799-8040Email a7mad.al0rabi@gmail.comPurpose: This study describes patient care experiences of solo-rheumatologist and co-managed care models utilizing an Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care-trained Extended Role Practitioner (ACPAC-ERP) in three community rheumatology practices.Materials and Methods: Patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) were assigned to care provided by one of three (2 senior, 1 early-career) community-based rheumatologists (usual care), or an ACPAC-ERP (co-managed care) for the 6-months following diagnosis. Patient experiences were surveyed using validated measures of patient satisfaction (Patient Doctor Interaction Scale-PDIS), global ratings of confidence and satisfaction, referral patterns, disease activity (RADAI) and self-perceived disability (HAQ-Disability) as well as demographic information. Practice capacity was evaluated 18-months prior to, and across, the study period.Results: Of 55 participants (mean age 56.6 years, 61.8% female), 33 received co-managed care. Most participants were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (65.5%) with a median symptom duration of 1.1 years. At 6-months, patients from both models of care were equally satisfied in terms of the information provided (usual care 4.6 vs co-managed care 4.7/5=greater satisfaction), rapport with health-care provider (4.6 vs 4.6/5) and having needs met (4.7 vs 4.5/5). Overall satisfaction was high (87.2 vs 85.3/100=completely satisfied) as was confidence in the system by which care was received (85.0 vs 82.1/100=completely confident). Usual care patients reported higher perceived disability than co-managed patients (HAQ-Disability 0.5 vs 0.2/3=unable to do). Significant differences in overall RADAI score (p=0.014) were found between the two models. The senior rheumatologist, with a previously saturated practice, attained a 37% capacity increase for new patients utilizing the co-managed care model.Conclusion: The ACPAC-ERP model was equivalent to the solo-rheumatologist model with regard to patient experience and satisfaction. A co-management model utilizing a highly trained ACPAC-ERP can increase capacity in community rheumatology clinics for patients newly diagnosed with IA while maintaining confidence and satisfaction with their care.Keywords: health service accessibility, interprofessional practice, rheumatology, patient satisfaction, quality improvement, extended role practitioner, integrated delivery systems, model of care |
