Decision Points Rights
1:
Patients require early and accurate diagnosis as many of the various forms of arthritis are treated very differently. Missed or delayed diagnosis can result in severe joint damage.
Every family doctor should be able to recognize and evaluate the key types of arthritis in adults and in children.
To achieve this right, there is a need for:
Sufficient curriculum dedicated to arthritis in all health professional academic programs;
Sufficient number of health professionals adequately trained to serve the needs of the population;
An Arthritis Strategy for each province (including the territories), developed with governments.
2:
People with arthritis have the right to specialty care:
People with arthritis should be referred to a specialist (e.g.. rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon) on an urgent, semi-urgent, or elective basis, depending upon the severity of their symptoms.
Patients should have timely access to rehabilitation professionals (e.g. occupational therapists, physical therapists) who are specifically trained in the management of arthritis:
Patients should have access to rehabilitation in an appropriate setting (i.e. hospital, community or home), so that they can keep functioning to the best of their abilities.
If arthritis interferes with their daily activities and/or their work, people with arthritis should be able to see a rehabilitation professional on an urgent basis.
People with arthritis should have timely access to counselling by a health professional ( e.g. social worker) who is knowledgeable about the treatment of the emotional and social aspects of arthritis.
Patients should have timely access to surgery as delays lead to undue suffering and can compromise the outcomes of surgery.
Patients should have timely access to current technology for assessment and treatment, including new forms of surgery.
To achieve this right, there is a need for :
Sufficient numbers of specialists and rehabilitation professionals;
Sufficient operating rooms and staff;
Adequate numbers of reliable technological machines;
Adequate support for community-based services;
The solutions should be built into the Arthritis Stategy for each province ( including the territories )
