An evaluated programme of rheumatology training for general practitioners

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• General Practice
• Medical Education

Background:

• Painful upper-limb disorders are common.
• General practitioners (GPs) manage many of these cases.
• Variability exists in GP management approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of rheumatologist instruction on GP management of painful upper-limb disorders.
• To assess changes in treatment, investigation, and referral patterns.
• To determine if instruction location influences outcomes.

Main Methods:

• 34 general practitioners (GPs) received personal instruction from a consultant rheumatologist.
• Management was assessed 3 months before and 3 months after instruction.
• Instruction was delivered either in GP surgeries or a hospital out-patient department.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in appropriate treatments and corticosteroid injections by GPs post-instruction.
• Reduced requests for investigations and fewer hospital referrals for rheumatology opinions.
• Hospital-based instruction correlated with a significant reduction in patient time off work.

Conclusions:

• Personal instruction by a consultant rheumatologist can modify GP practice for upper-limb disorders.
• These practice modifications may lead to reduced patient morbidity.
• Instruction location may influence the extent of management changes.