Clinical activities: an audit of rheumatology practice in 30 European centres

As part of a larger EURORITS' study of rheumatology practice across Europe an audit of the diagnoses of all rheumatology inpatients (IPs), all new (OP/N) and review (OP/R) outpatients, seen during the month of January 1991 was undertaken simultaneously in 30 rheumatology units in 19 European countries. Wide variations in case-mix, bed numbers and usage, as well as staffing levels were seen. This was in part due to the type of unit, some acting as national referral centres, while others performed a regional or district role, and also as a consequence of differences in referrals and in clinical practice. The 'median European unit' had four consultants, four trainees, two research fellows (clinical), and two research fellows (scientific), and admitted 66 patients to its 31 beds during the month. Inflammatory joint disease accounted for 60, 32 and 71% of IPs, OP/Ns and OP/Rs, respectively. This survey, being the first of its kind, has provided insight into the problems of eliciting and analysing such disparate data, which will be of value in future similar exercises.