Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-2-17
pubmed:abstractText
It is important that inflammatory arthropathies such as rheumatoid arthritis be diagnosed promptly so that treatment can be administered in a timely fashion. However, there is considerable evidence that this process of care is delayed in many people. The aim of the study is to assess wait times between primary care referral and rheumatology assessment for new-onset inflammatory arthropathies. We performed a retrospective review related to new rheumatology consultations (N = 202) between September and November 2008 within the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada. At this centre, no formal triaging of rheumatology referrals exists. Of the 202 charts reviewed, wait times could be calculated in 164 cases. Only consultations for new-onset conditions were analyzed (N = 161). The results showed that patients with inflammatory arthritis were seen approximately 34.6 days (median 26) post-referral. Wait times for individuals who were ultimately diagnosed with non-urgent conditions (osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and soft-tissue rheumatism) averaged 41.0 days (median 29). In conclusions, compared to non-urgent cases, individuals with inflammatory arthritis were seen about 1 week sooner. Nevertheless, provisional diagnosis provided on referrals did not appear to expedite wait times for persons with suspected inflammatory arthritis. This suggested that other factors, such as the concern of the patient, may have an influence on referral wait times. Implementation of a rapid access program or triage system may be helpful to further decrease wait times for inflammatory arthropathies.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
1437-160X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
30
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
705-7
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2010
pubmed:articleTitle
A retrospective review of rheumatology referral wait times within a health centre in Quebec, Canada.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West, V-Building, Room V2.09, Montreal, QC, Canada. junyi.qian@mail.mcgill.ca
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article