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  • What We're Working On
Rheumatoid Arthritis Care in Alberta – ‘The right care at the right time by the right provider’
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Scientific Study Title:
Implementation pilot of a shared-care model for rheumatoid arthritis leveraging an “on-demand” follow-up strategy
Start Date:
  • 2024
End Date:
  • 2025
Research Category
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Why do this research?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a lifelong condition that needs ongoing monitoring. Follow-up appointments are scheduled every 6-12 months regardless of patient need. As a result, most rheumatology appointments are with people with stable rheumatoid arthritis. This leaves less time to see patients with urgent concerns like flares. There are also shortages of rheumatologists, which makes accessing care difficult. This has led to a system that cannot deliver the appropriate treatment when it is most needed and make sure it is delivered by the right health care provider.

We are testing a different way of providing care. This will involve rheumatology healthcare providers, people with rheumatoid arthritis, and family doctors.

What will be done?

We are testing a ‘patient-initiated’ model of delivering care that we call “Appointments By Choice”, or “ABC”. In this model, patients and/or family doctors arrange rheumatology care when needed.

The test is being done with around 100 adults with rheumatoid arthritis at our Calgary clinic. Patients decide on a follow-up appointment between 1-3 years, depending on their preference. The decision is made in discussion with their rheumatologist. Disease activity is being captured through questionnaires and bone imaging. A rheumatology pharmacist is available anytime to deal with urgent rheumatoid arthritis-related concerns such as flares. At the end of the study, participants can share their experiences in an interview with the study team.

The Research Team

Principal Investigator

  • Claire Barber, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Research Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of Calgary)

Co-Investigators

  • Alison Hoens, BScPT, MSc, Knowledge Broker, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Sarah Manske, (University of Calgary)
  • Glen Hazlewood, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Research Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada, (University of Calgary)
  • Rick Ward, MD, Family Physician
  • Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Elena Lopatina, (University of Calgary)
  • Megan Barber, BSc, MD, PhD, Research Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of Calgary)
  • Paul MacMullan, (University of Calgary)
  • Dianne Mosher, (University of Calgary)
  • Aurore Fifi-Mah, (University of Calgary)
  • Michelle Jung, (University of Calgary)
  • Leah Phillips, Alberta College of Family Physicians
  • Marinka Twilt, (University of Calgary)
  • Nadia Luca, Pediatric Rheumatologist. Alberta
  • Children's Hospital.
  • Karen Then, (University of Calgary)
  • Trafford Crump, (University of Calgary); Kelly Osinski,RN, Alberta Health Services
  • Becky Job, Alberta Health Services
  • Kiran Dhiman, (University of Calgary)
  • Saania Zafar, Gurjeet Bhangu, Shakeel Subdar

How Can People Get Involved?

Our partners in Calgary, Alberta include:

  • Individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis,
  • Rheumatology healthcare providers, including rheumatologists and an experienced pharmacist at the clinic
  • Leadership and administrative staff at the clinic
  • Implementation experts
  • The Department of Radiology at the University of Calgary.

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